Lunch break

From the start of shift at 7am until after 12:00 vitals have been taken and entered and all the patient lunch ‘intakes’ have been put in, my day is crazy. Running around back and forth, sitting down only when I chart and take a quick breakfast (coffee!) break. So when lunch time rolls around, I’m usually ready to grab something quick and head over to the staff lounge and put my feet up.  But last Saturday was a bit different.

I walked into the “crib” where we have our break room just to grab a pitcher of water for a mom before taking my break, and what I saw, well, I did not expect it. One of our nurses had a makeshift Japanese headband (made from an isolation gown) tied around her head, and the rest of the gown tied at her waist like an apron. In front of her a spread of rice, cucumbers, avocado, shredded crab, and sheets of seaweed. It was sushi demonstration time. It was one of those classic moments that words can’t quite describe – “you had to have been there.”  But everyone took turns rolling their sushi and cutting it up (or trying to). It was a riot seeing our hard-working nurses rolling up their sleeves and having a good time.

I’ve been working for about 3 months now, and I’m seeing that there are two things that go hand in hand that make our unit so fun to work on, and so effective at providing patient care: 1) Everyone is like family, we work together for a common goal, and while it’s hard work, everyone makes a point to have fun together too. Which only leads to the reason number 2) We like to eat, and eat together. Sushi was just one day, but there’s always something to share with everyone, something to munch on, and ice cream in the freezer for the afternoons. Our unit is on the east tower of the hospital, but we aren’t east,  we’re EATS!