Sometimes as a nurse I was told I had a “dark” sense of humor. Is that a reflection of my negativity toward my job and the people in my day or merely a coping mechanism? What is the difference?

Is a dark sense of humor as important as a good pair of nursing shoes?

When I worked the the hospital as a registered nurse, some days I did not want to go to work. Dealing with patient illness and staffing politics and standing on my feet five days a week or more was wearing on my soul. I was beginning to feel frustrated and disillusioned with working as an RN. I began to question whether or not I was really making a difference. I was however grateful for my comfortable nursing shoes.

I have owned many different types of nursing shoes. I remember starting out with the white nursing clogs with the tiny blue heart on the side.
They were effective for taking off the pressure of standing all day, but the changes were coming to get enforce shoes with a closed back as well as closed front.
The next pair I owned was a pair of tennis shoes, leather. Probably the best choice, easiest to clean after a full day. Then not recognizing what stains on my shoes came from what patient or what type of body fluid it was. How do our shoes get so dirty? Oh the number of cloth Tennis shoe that was sentenced to the dumpster after a few weeks of wear.

Does our mindset of our nursing career, like wearing a pair of shoes become darkened with humor that could------- and leave prints of ----on our compassion?

Once, I owned a pair of nursing shoes with the huge metal springs on the heel. Not attractive whatsoever. Functional. Made me taller. Everyone commented on them. Those brave enough to purchase the shoe with the metal spring-stilts got all of the questions!

I look back and wish a coworker had compassion for me and tell me the truth about those shoes. Eventually, i found the shoes to create certain amounts of static in situations working with medical equipment. And my calves became the size of Larry Birds quadriceps. Once Again, I new I needed a new nursing shoe.

Crocs, in my opinion are a gift from Zeus. Now not only do i get to come to work in my pajamas, I am in my slippers as well. If I am really feeling fashionable, I can coordinate my Crocs with my Scrubs!

I have to admit I would have never owned a pair of Crocs myself if a coworker insisted on me trying the Crocodile slipper on my dainty foot.
I think Crocs look like “Duck boots”, only with Measles.
I eventually went on to work as a travel RN, I packed my bags and my Crocs, as well as a few other shoes, just in case. I packed my dark sense of humor. I also went on a quest for finding the answer to the question “ Does Compassion Fatigue exist and how can i help nurses and ANY professional suffering from initial stages of this syndrome?” and “ How can I help serve nurses and offer them support and protection in their daily lives.”

Recognizing and accept the symptoms of compassion fatigue is like recognizing when your shoes have reached the point of being “ just too dirty and worn out to wear to work.” Wearing a clean, stable pair of shoes can change your life for the better, Life is to be lived, not struggled through. Recognizing the symptoms does not mean there is something wrong with you or that you cannot handle your job. it may mean that you are not allowing yourself enough space to be in the recovery phase of the stress filled lifestyle you may lead.

AnnChristine Warneka BSN,RN is the Executive Director of Nurse Guardian. LLC.