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It is so true Nursing is a calling. What could explain the joy I receive – caring for residents at a care home. This morning one of the residents told me she is wet and had been laying in her urine for a while. I asked her why she did not call us. We checked on her through the night and she was dry hence my trainer of the night believed it was for a while only. I was afraid to move her from bed to wheelchair. She asked me why the other caregiver did not train me to do it. I told her I come well trained but that we students move each other and it is different from moving someone so frail. She told me she is tough and not frail. The caregiver came to move her. It was exactly as we were taught. I will know how to do it now.

Once he had her in the wheelchair, I brought her to the bathroom. I got her changed and when she finished offered to do perineal care. She was shy about it. I told her it is my pleasure and it was. It is hard to describe the feeling of pleasure tending to her gently, carefully, lovingly. She was like someone precious and she is. I love her. I do admit to having my favorite though I love them all. And she is one of my favorite. She is a lady and so gentle.

Another resident, bed bound is lovely also and so sweet. She has big bright eyes and wide smiles. We love her.

Another favorite of mine is not everyone’s favorite. She is loud and flamboyant. I love her, she is so much fun to listen to. This morning, I brought her meds and found her hidden under thick folds of blankets. I greeted her and teased, “For a moment, I thought I lost you among the blankets.” She laughed, delighted at the teasing.

A male and in serious case of Alzheimer can get very difficult. Latin male is still latin male. Every time he sees me, he smiles, still the charmer. I learned how to manage him bit by bit. It takes a certain skill. I employed what Spanish words I know. Next time I am on night duty and nobody around, I will sing him some Spanish songs. That will get him to smile even more.

His neighbor is a man and very aware. A gentleman. I helped him three times last night. Again, it was a pleasure. He had diarrhea and the stench was bad but did not bother me one bit. What matters is he is a gentleman, a shell of what he once was and someone dearly loved by his son.

Yet another resident could only say yes. This morning she saw me and I heard her say distinctly, “Here she is…” She looks unhappy most of the time. I had been flashing her smiles like she is best of friend. Wait till I am alone on night duty, I will chat with her even if one sided. I get self-conscious and shy with people around me.

It is like when I am left alone with kids then I play very well with them and become one of them. As long as adults are present, I feel self-conscious and inhibited.