The front page of the NY Times had an article about military bloggers, and I came across the military slang term “Embrace the Suck,“  which is a saying to make the most of a horrible situation.  I love this saying, and I will be using it often.  It should be a nursing saying (no, I am not talking about breastfeeding, but it would be a great slogan for that too!).  How many times have nurses had to Embrace the Suck?

When to Embrace the Suck:

• During a code:  Your focus is on saving a life, not on the back breaking work.

• During a digital removal of a fecal impaction as a nurse’s aide:  “Happy Thanksgiving,” says my supervising RN.  “Gobble Gobble,” says I.

• While being peed on by a confused old man during clinical rotations at nursing school:  “April golden showers bring… Maybe it’s not to late to be an accountant.”

• Pushing with a mom for three hours as she is screaming how much she hates you, and you haven’t eaten, drank, or urinated all day:  Small price to pay for  being there for the most important day of this woman’s life.




• Having a drunk male visitor say you look like Courtney Cox (during the Friend’s years):  I’ll take it.

• Working a double shift that turned into 20 hours when your relief did not show up:  At least it wasn’t 24 hours straight.

• Holding the hands and praying with the parents of an infant who is being baptized,  before all life support is removed:  An honor.

• Working Christmas Eve night and dropping your freshly microwaved TV dinner on the floor:  I am sure the Chinese place will deliver at 2 am.

• Riding in the back of an ambulance sniffing diesel fumes while transporting a 27 weeker on the hottest day ever recorded in modern times while puking your guts out in a plastic bowl: Maybe I can fit in my new bikini now.
  

• Not being able to find a nurse to switch work days with you, and missing your child’s school performance:  Thank God my kids are healthy.

• Getting SLAMMED at work with constant admissions, high acuity, no breaks, no appreciation.  Like running a MASH unit:  It could be worse, we could be getting SHOT at while caring for patients.

So tell me, what is your favorite Embrace the Suck moment?  (This applies to everyone, not just nurses).

RR