5 West Nursing

Today’s my last day at 5 West.

They say parting is such sweet sorrow. I guess they (whoever “they” are) were right.

I’ve always considered 5 West my home floor… always been loyal to the people and patients that make 5 West… always been proud to be at 5 West. For the last 2 years I’ve been at 5 West I’m glad to have been part of what 5 West has become… but now it’s time to move on and take up other challenges. I guess my work here is done.

To all the people who make up 5 West, particularly the night crew I say THANK YOU!

Thank you for making the last 2 years a very pleasant and enjoyable one. It has been a pleasure to be surrounded by such a fine group of individuals who go above and beyond what is expected of them.

Despite this there is always that possibility that we will meet again, knowing very well that staffing at MMC (and other hospitals for that matter) is largely volatile and floating is inevitable. There is also that ICU to Telemetry transfer that I’m sure most of you are just thrilled to have anytime . Then again there’s that occasional pop in visit just to say “Wassup?!”

People come, and people go. What matters is the state of things when we leave. I’m hoping that 5 West gets better as the days go by, and I know it will because I was there, and I’ve seen how we’ve made progress.

If there’s anything I’ve learned in the past 2 years it is this… 5 West, take care of your own! Your asset is the people who define what 5 West is. You have been blessed to have the finest, don’t let it go to waste. Value your resources, i.e., the people who truly care about the state of things. Be open minded and have a heart. Listen and actually do something.

Swallow your pride and learn from other Units who know how to take care of their people (kudos 6 East). If you can do this, you’re halfway there! Till then, you’ll be plagued with poor staffing, low staff morale, and a team that’s as divided as night and day!