You know you are a pediatric nurse when...

I had the honor and privilege to sit with a group of like minded nurses this week as I interviewed for a job at a wonderful children's hospital in Orlando.  I have been feeling the itch to get back to a pediatric ER for a little while.  I love where I am right now.  I have no desire to leave.  I just want to supplement what I am doing so I can bring back to my full time job more knowledge, more best practice and more ideas to better take care of kids in our area. 
The beauty in nursing as a profession you are only limited by your imagination.  There are jobs available if you are willing to get out of your comfort zone, look a little bit and put your self out there.  I have been very blessed in this career. 
How did my interview go?  They offered me a full time position.  As stated above, that is not what I am looking for.  Also this hospital is 75 miles away.  At this point in my life it would be like trying to fit the round peg of my family into the square peg "my career."  If I have learned anything in the past year or so, it's I am not defined by my career.  My value and worth are not directly tied to what I do to earn money.  I can make an impact in my workplace.  I pray that's what God is using me for.  But my family is what's going to go on long after I am gone from this planet.  It's my family that's going to be the testimony of the kind of person I was. 
So back to where I started, the awesome pediatric nurses.  As I left them, I got to thinking about what a unique breed of nurses we are.  So I woke up this morning and I little list popped in my head. I just what to share it with you.  It's original, well thought out title is... 
"You know you are a Pediatric Nurse when...."
1) Children don't scare you.  Parents do.
2) You know all the words to the Barney song, Sponge Bob Squarepants, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and are unashamed to sing badly to calm and distract an anxious child. 
3) You pay attention to the words you use and tell every child there are no cats in the CAT scan because one time you didn't and had a very sad, confused patient.
4)  You use words like blue lines (veins), straws (IV catheter), soap (antiseptic), bee sting, pinch, poke to explain and IV start or blood draw to a child. 
5) You know bubbles and stickers are an essential part of nursing care.  It is a cardinal sin to not give out stickers to every child.
6) You could be a side show act at a carnival because you can state a babies age to the month just by looking at them and know a child's weight within 3-5 pounds just by knowing their age (after you convert it from kilograms).
7)  You have called the cops after seeing unrestrained children jumping around in the back of a moving car.
8)  Friends, relatives, neighbors call upon you to examine lacerations, extremity injury, rashes, fever "just to see what you think."
9)  You have heard "You work with kids?  It must be so sad."  more times than you can count.
10)  You know you work with kids because you are just caring for a patient.  You are caring for a future Albert Einstein, Michael Jordan, Taylor Swift, or Hilary Clinton.  You know a child has all that potential in them and you have seen and know what amazing odds they can overcome.  And when the outcome is not good, its a mixture of sadness and privilege to have been "chosen" to cross the families world at this time. 

So to all my pediatric nurse friends, you have crossed my mind over and over as I type this list.  I thank God that you were given this passion, this calling.  I pray that you will remember, even on the bad days, what an honor it is to care for these little souls.  You are following after the One who loves these children most of all.
"But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  Luke 18:16God bless,

joy

A Mom's Prayer on the First Day of School

Good morning Jesus.  It's quiet isn't it?  Is this what silence is?  It's nice to spend some of the quiet with you.
How did I get to this point of being a mom to an 8th, 7th, 3rd and 1st grader?  Where has the time gone?  Am I really that old? How can a 25 year old have an 8th grader?  I'm not 25?  Last time I checked, I had 1 little baby and now poof, there's 4!  And they are all in school!!  Did I blink? 
Thanks for the summer.  We had such fun together.  Sure we had our moments.  But I have been very blessed by the bonds our family has formed.  The kids all hugged each other before the 2 littlest headed out the door.  So sweet, so precious. 
Thank you for the morning.  The first day is so great when they are excited for the "new."  So excited for new clothes, new teacher, new friends.   Bind that feeling to our hearts.  Give them that excitement for everyday.  Show them that every day brings new possibilities,  new potential. 
I'm a mom and I worry.  I know the best way to handle those worries is give them to You.  I am wrapping my kids up as the gifts they are and giving them to you (again!).  I know you love them even more than I do and your love is perfect.  I know you are with them right now, what ever they are doing so I don't need to fuss. 
Father I pray they make good choices this year.  I pray they make the right choice on their tests, with the friends they choose and even what they eat for lunch.  Show them the right way.  Make it plain to them. Help them to shine brightly where ever they are.   
About those friends, the boys asked me about that this morning.  "Should I only have Christian friends?"  I told them "No."  I explained Christian friends are important because they encourage you and give you accountability but they should also have non Christian friends.  I told them they could be a light and encouragement for those kids too.  I asked them to not judge people by their clothes or the color of their skin or by what they have or don't have.  Then You to drive it home You showed me that lady on the side of the road.  The one I am quick to judge when I care for her at the hospital.   I hear You.  I see.  Thanks for the timely reminder Jesus.   I'm still learning too. 
Father, I pray for those teachers.  Give them wisdom, energy, and patience to make it through each day.  Help them to see the precious lives they are hlelping to mold and shape. Give them discernment to see the ones who need an extra touch, kind word or extra help with their class work.
They will be coming home soon.    Too soon for me to get done the long list of things I had planned to do for "as soon as the kids are in school."  Make the tranisition smooth.  Help all their kids on the bus be sweet and not foul mouthed spitters.    And when they blow through the door, help me to give them the love and attention they need.  Help me to make sure they feel heard and loved.  Help me to give them balance between home work, after school activities and play time. 
Thank you Father.   Thank you for letting me be the mom to these kids.  For some reason, You decided I was qualified to be the mom to this unique bunch of kids.  It's my greatest joy but it's what humbles me every day.  I know I fall short every day but I also know You have them securely in Your hand and they are going to be all right. 
In your powerful Name,
joy