Firstly, welcome. I haven’t posted on this blog in x amount of years, but I’m here — and you’re here — for the revival. She’s been rebranded to follow along with my daily life and stories that accompany being a psychiatric nurse and psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner student. I wanted to showcase every … Continue reading Psych Nurse Vera: A Revival
Author: Christine Vera Polintan
As We Go On, We Remember: I Pass Nursing Orientation; My Patient Graduates High School In the ICU
Milestones are universal, measurable events to mark the progression of life. It signifies movement into the next stage of our lives. But what if movement is not just moving on, but beyond? Graduating high school is such a remarkable time in human life. I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen movies about … Continue reading As We Go On, We Remember: I Pass Nursing Orientation; My Patient Graduates High School In the ICU
What Europeans Taught Me About Work-Life Balance & Money
Is it true that Europeans lead more relaxed and fulfilling lives than their American counterparts? Here we examine 3 distinct working lifestyles in lieu of the standard 9-5. Money.Money talks.Money makes the world go ‘round.Money can(‘t) buy you happiness. We are both masters of and servants to money. We work to pay our bills. We … Continue reading What Europeans Taught Me About Work-Life Balance & Money
20 Lessons from My 20s
As I enter my thirties, I reflect on all that I have learned over the past decade. This month, I turned 30. As a child, this number seemed incredibly far off. Like a “galaxy, far, far away,” kind of off. I enthusiastically awaited adulthood and all the privileges that it afforded me:The freedom to see … Continue reading 20 Lessons from My 20s
Free Bird: A Short Story On Starting A New Job In the ICU
An extended metaphor comparing a fledgeling learning how to fly to a new intensive care unit (ICU) nurse navigating the critical care environment. The fears. The tears. The cheers. The Piece Mama bird shoved me out of the nest. I cried out in startlement. My calls were drenched in anguish and distress. Instinctively I flapped … Continue reading Free Bird: A Short Story On Starting A New Job In the ICU
1 Year in the ICU: A Self-Reflection
A self-reflection on the resolution of one year at, what nursing school me would consider, her "dream" job. Is this what dreams are made of? It's around the one year mark of my time here in the intensive care unit. This was my dream job after college. I actually interviewed here as a fresh post-grad, … Continue reading 1 Year in the ICU: A Self-Reflection
In Sickness and In Health
I reflect on the meaning of love and commitment when a beautiful example shines into my patient assignment. “…in sickness and in health.” We’ve heard that vow many times before whether on screen in movies, or IRL at an actual wedding. My mind often drifts back to the concept of love because my definition and … Continue reading In Sickness and In Health
Instinctual Thoughts
At the basis of our inner core, what is it that drives us? When the looming threat of mortality triggers us, who or what comes to the surface? I work in the neurosurgical ICU. As you can imagine, a lot of my patients have lapses in memory. I end up having the same conversation, multiple … Continue reading Instinctual Thoughts
The First 6 Months: I’ve Been A Nurse for Half A Year Already??
Reaching 6 months of experience in your first nursing job is no easy feat. At 6 months, you've officially upgraded from new grad nurse to novice nurse. Here are some ways I adapted from in-school simulation and clinical to real-life patient interactions.
New Graduate Nurse Guide: An Introduction
An introductory guide for new graduate nurses. Learn about current job prospects in NYC for new graduate nurses. Discuss difficulties of job hunting, creating resumes and cover letters, interviewing, and networking.
Christine Vera Polintan 