Once more with gusto

I'm not sure how this'll pan out as I'm currently working night shift in a local hospital and given it's nearly 3 am., I have been known to slur my words at times, so, reader beware.
I haven't written for a while, not since before Christmas in fact. Life on the land has become very busy of late, what with working and bike riding and gym and occasional visitors.
I suppose something has to give when sometimes you feel you're in the centre of a tornado and until now, blogging has been it.
As I said before, I am currently working those horrible hours in an environment where (touch wood), it is extremely "Q" (I won't say the word), and I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do next.
I suppose I should tackle some competencies and or read some more, or even make myself yet another cup of tea, but I thought, why not blog a bit for a change and see what comes out of my brain with a bit of free writing instead.
I have been working at this rural hospital now on and off since July of last year and really am finding I am enjoying the change not to mention the change of pace.
Please don't get me wrong reader. The days and evenings are usually very busy, and this place has the potential at any time of the day and night to suddenly pick up speed, depending on who presses the emergency door bell at all hours too so we are forever on tender-hooks here and have to be prepared for anything and anyone who might emerge requiring emergency care.
When I first started here, I was absolutely terrified of the door-bell going off.
My thoughts would run to my previous workplace and I would think, "I am a midwife, not an emergency nurse...what on earth am I doing here?"
Every time someone would present to the emergency department, I would be imagining any number of scenarios and had not iota of confidence in how to assess and or deal with what ailed the presenter.
There is still very much I do not know and I still have a lot to experience. People do present here with chest pain and cardiac irregularities and crush injuries after falling from tractors and snake bites but I have found my new colleagues here to be extremely supporting and willing to reteach me those skills I learned many years ago when I was a student nurse as well as teach me new skills for a lot has changed in the years I have worked elsewhere, in the realm of general nursing.
For forty + years now I have been a midwife. I have encouraged women to birth babies over a few generations now. I have encouraged some of those babies to birth their own and so it has continued.
I have worked with families providing the best care I could give. I have held their hands during the best times of their lives and during the saddest times of their lives also.
I have seen much laughter and love and heartache in my craft which I will never forget and there are women especially that will remain in my heart always.
This recent work has seen me step away somewhat from that which I am used to.
No longer am I supporting labouring women. Now I am working mainly with older folk who have experienced most of their lives and for the majority, are in their twilight years.
I have found a joy working with these people I did not ever think I would.
One environment I now work in is an aged care facility with residents who all have various stages of dementia. Most do not remember me when I return day by day to assist in providing their daily care, but I remember them and their personalities and their likes and dislikes so I am able to nurture and support as they travel this journey alone but in my company.
I cannot help but marvel at those colleagues who work with these people day in and day out, doing the same things each day with them but have no qualms about returning each time. It's a joy to watch the bond between the staff and the residents who for the most have known each other for long periods of time, given this workplace is in a small rural community about an hour's drive from my home.
Some of the staff are related to the residents either through family and or through marriage and extended family, or may have lived around the corner or down the street from them for most of their lives, so there is an element of closeness and connectivity that is missing in other places I have been for other reasons.
As I mentioned earlier, I really am surprised at how much I am enjoying the change in my workplace.
Who was it that said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
I am 61 now and continuing to learn as I go. There is a joy in knowing that new colleagues respect and appreciate your work ethic. I will be working for at least a few more years yet, so, enjoyment is imperative at this stage of the game.
Enough for now. I think it's high time for a cuppa and I might just tackle that competency that's awaiting my superior knowledge!
Bye for now.