The art of strategic decompression

Twelve-hour shift complete.

The art of strategic decompression

Currently conducting what I’m calling ‘horizontal coffee therapy’ on our couch while still in scrubs because changing clothes requires energy I don’t currently possess.

Today was one of those days where everything that could go sideways did exactly that. Two emergency admits, a medication error that wasn’t mine but became my problem to fix, and a family conference that lasted forty-five minutes longer than scheduled. The kind of shift that makes you question your life choices until you remember you actually love this job.

Coffee refill number three. No regrets.

Jake’s been quietly restocking our coffee supply and pretending not to notice that I’ve had three cups since walking through the door. This is love in its purest form - knowing when your person needs caffeine and silence in equal measure.

Tomorrow’s a new shift. Tonight’s agenda: takeout, bad TV, and zero medical decisions. Sometimes the best nursing care you can provide is to yourself.