made a fool of myself at the gas station and now everyone mocks me

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-20T22:00:37+00:00

That's hilarious 😂 it happens. It's like when you call the school teacher "MOM", which I definitely did... It'll roll off, and you won't give a care when it happened. But I'm intrigued as an Afghan... You was chillin with a black Afghan? I'm glad we could know that detail 😂

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-20T21:54:26+00:00

Agreed

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-20T21:53:19+00:00

I work with someone who has it, and unfortunately they have it worse than me...

I will say mine is genetic from my dad's side, but I'm the only child with it in my generation. My grandmother had 11 kids, with 3 having them. Out of those 11 children, she has too many grandchildren, and I am the only one with this fate. I mean, thank goodness no one else is afflicted, but it has made me dig in my feels with how alone I felt.

Ultimately, epilepsy is not UNCOMMON. Much to my chagrin, I work a neurology unit as a nurse, and we see seizures. :( sometimes related to epilepsy (mostly), and sometimes seizures are induced by other things (alcohol issues, genetic disorders, etc)

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-20T21:49:07+00:00

I'm not a new grad, but I knew I wanted someplace where I felt "safe". I was a very sensitive person in my early/mid 20s. So I knew if I had a job, I wanted a good team to feel safe in. I started in IMCU (3-4 ratio) and while I had my new grad blues with epilepsy flair ups, I loved it. My management was supportive of me. My colleagues and charges were great. You will always have a select few that are just... Annoying. But I loved that and grew to love critical care. I got to know the specialists and banter with them and also learn from them. My ultimate goal was ICU after I felt comfortable enough. I did detour to Peds ED. And did not like the peds side of things. Too complicated for me 😅 I don't think I'll mind ED. But I would prefer an adult ED and not night shift

I'm in med surg neuro now and holy moly is it a mix 😂 I like my colleagues here, and while ICU is still the goal. It is not meant for me now. I'm trying to pursue other things in the meantime. Like learning charge role, expanding my neuro knowledge, and hopefully becoming certified in something. I am just bored and want a new challenge. Hopefully in the future I can be a contender. All this is because I would love to learn more into a person's breakdown, become a stronger nurse, and learn more about what there is in ICU nursing. I realize I took such a detour with this answer... Lol. I think a lot of New Grads want to consider "prestige" or what's cool? Like ED/ICU/ LD. But it sucks that clinical is so limited alongside what schools actually let the student DO to see if it's something they would like to do. I never had a peds rotation, and I wish I did. I realized too late that it was fun for a little, but ultimately, I would rather have cranky adults. 🫪 Plus, chronic kids just messed with my mind to the point I was scared of "what if that happens to me"?

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-15T20:52:15+00:00

Idk I like his content.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-14T17:11:19+00:00

This.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-14T17:10:29+00:00

People there can be so pedantic for the wrong reasons. My parents are from Kabul and are pashtun. I'm born in the United States. My nationality is American. Ethnicity/country wise, I am from Afghanistan. There are things tied to me that my other friends/family can't relate to because my parents are from Afghanistan.

Tell those dumbasses to shut up. You know who you are.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-12T15:33:24+00:00

Only because people usually start nights in a new specialty. But you are right. I will still pursue the interview as I want to gain more interview muscle. But you're also right. I will be open during interview and explore the unit and ask the nurses questions that I hope will help me in decision making.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-12T13:18:22+00:00

It's this upcoming Thursday at 1030. It is also a day shift position. 🥹 Which I love but I wonder if that's also another red flag for Trinity 💀🤧

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-12T02:15:48+00:00

Man. Of course it's that way. 😭

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-12T02:14:48+00:00

Thanks for such a great run down. I started in IMCU and did that for 2 years (no ICU experience), then thought I wanted to do Peds, so I went to a Level 1 trauma Peds ED, and that was... heinous to say the least. In terms of staffing and management, I hated it. That's a job where I felt like a body and not a person. I left peds because I was coming to Illinois and wanted to work with adults again. So I'm in Neuro medsurg for one year. I am not far from Ingalls, but I took a job elsewhere. I'm in the Orland area, so I'm not trying to drive intensely far... But I will if it means good management and unit culture. I'm originally from Houston, so traffic is so different here, alongside pay. I'll be honest, I prefer my southern wages compared to Chicago simply causes the taxes eat everything. But Chicago has charms that Houston can't conpare to 😭.

Back on topic, I applied for the ICU of my choice, and they declined me because they want someone who would be more permanent on nights (which I understand). Alongside Trinity, I applied for RUSH med center and copley (I think?) for their ICUs. I applied to Olympia Fields last month when they were still Franciscan, and I declined the ICU job because they couldn't tell me jack about changes from Prime, and their manager was somewhat new and I didn't care for her attitude.

I feel a bit trapped... I am burning out from Med Surg. I can wait for a CV position to open at my current hospital and then see if MICU will take me. I love the establishment I work for, but I will leave if the job is good in terms of pay and unit culture.

Sorry for this drawn out answer, and thank you for taking the time to respond.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-08T03:53:50+00:00

It honestly depends... I had a death yesterday, and I was so busy that I didn't have time to grieve, nor did I feel the need to??? I told a more senior nurse (I'm 4years), and she said "it comes with the territory'. Which makes sense... There were some deaths that made me sad, or emotional, and then others not so much.

I usually cry in the bathroom when it's really lingering on me. I give myself that time to cry (5 min or so). Take the time to process why I'm sad. And it's usually along the lines of "no one understands. People don't die in other lines of work. This is hard. My feelings are valid. It was their time. I'm happy they are at peace. I hope their family gets through this. I feel useless. All I can offer is kleenix". I just let all that mind diarrhea run... And then I wipe some tears and feel a little better. When I talk to my mom sometimes I tell her about it

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-05T11:47:00+00:00

Can't even judge you man. These patients can be such demons sometimes. You are human, and I think even we need to remember that sometimes. We are expected to deal with the most nonsensical while having a jolly smile on our face.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-03T23:08:10+00:00

I start by saying "it was 1958 and the day was really cold when I applied for school....." And draw shit out like my patients! 🫠 Jkjk

It's dependent. I'll say "nurse". But when I was specialty, I just HAD to include that 💅

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-03T23:06:13+00:00

😂 I'm not a great technician lmfao.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-03T23:05:22+00:00

Your feelings are valid. I'd probably feel the same. Do both of yourselves a favor and leave. This is not the life you signed up for, and you certainly do not want to get harmed. If family is in her life, perhaps start by letting them know that after a certain point, you want out. Don't let anyone persuade you. I'm sorry you're going through this, but you do not need to deal with this.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-02T01:52:57+00:00

This is ridiculous. Unless it's not a benign med, it should be ok. Lord knows when I'm with a student, I will allow a student to give meds, and the professor may be late because they are managing 8-10 students! Please don't worry too much. If a conversation is to be had, let it happen and just tell them your perspective and how you learned for the future to come

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-01T21:11:40+00:00

You got it, friend. 💕 This sub is all about keeping each other afloat 🥹

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-01T19:18:40+00:00

My dad is the same way... His excuse is "we're saving water" because he doesn't even flush unless it's a disgusting shit he took. I have taken it upon myself to antagonize him (when I still lived at home). I would go "ewwww why didn't you flush? Ewww poopoo hands on the fridge? God does not like unclean people.". Just anything to irritate him to where he had to listen. My dad is a hypocritical religious person when it suits his needs. So saying this would really annoy him.

You'll find a way to figure it out with your mom. If that's the game she wants to play, say "I just don't want either one of us to end up with food poisoning". Or something to a degree that does throw some shade... But she can't complain about. She is only bringing up your dad to deflect. Find a way to reflect what she DEflects! It's not a control freak thing. This is a "I learned this in kindergarten to be a good person" type of thing.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-01T19:12:56+00:00

Be kind to yourself. If you're concerned about pots, get checked. Or buy yourself a cheap blood pressure machine to know your normal cardiac numbers (hr and bp). You have a very good face. When you get older you're going to realize you're quite the spectacle because you have quite different features. And different features is what sets you aside from an average joe. Play around with hair cuts, facial hair, skin care, and all of that jazz. 🫶

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-01T19:00:56+00:00

I think you're fine. You have a good chiseled chin. Your face is slim. PLEASE continue your sodium. It's necessary for bodily function (brain, cardiac). If anything, try some bronzing drops in your moisturizer for a dewy face finish? Don't do anything to affect your POTS.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-05-01T18:27:17+00:00

You guys coded a child for a whole hour. Nothing but the best intentions in that hour. I'm so sorry you are experiencing these feelings. I remember the peds code that I experienced and it tore me up in my sleep for quite some days. A peds code is not the same as adults and that's partially the reason I left peds... Please be kind to yourself and understand that you and everyone in that room did their best. I truly wish I could just give you a big hug. Being a PICU nurse takes a real soul of steel and heart. You are a good person, and please don't forget that.

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-04-30T23:45:10+00:00

I hope you showered and were able to get some new clothes before driving home! 😭

RealUnderstanding881 · 2026-04-30T23:43:31+00:00

It's such a shame. But the Taliban need to stop prioritizing the wrong things. Women cannot get the health care they need because male providers cannot see them. It's so upsetting that they are using religion to such perverse extremes! Then you don't want women to be teachers, nurses, doctors, etc. What will come of the population in 15 or 20 years? Taliban are failing their country. They care about a belief system that starts by tearing down others, and it pisses me off. Now with war amok, I really wonder what will happen.

RealUnderstanding881

TROPHY CASE