Tuesday, November 12, 2013

PICU Vices

I laugh at how frequently the topic of being a nurse practitioner and alcohol go hand and hand.

I remember when I was referred to a hematologist almost 2 years ago, I had just finished school and hadn't started as an APN yet.  I saw the heme APN and she asked, "So have you started drinking yet!? Because if you haven't now, you definitely will once you start working."

The question took me a little bit by surprise, so I just laughed. I mean Jon and I have always loved wine. Or an ice cold beer on a hot day.  Or a good dirty martini (see, I'm no stranger to alcohol!).

But then I started working as an APN and it definitely took on a whole new meaning.  The hematologist APN was right!

I also have a friend who is a mother of 2, in her 40s, who is now in the midst of nursing school and she recently posted on facebook a status that read something to the effect of "I don't know how I'd get through these classes without X, Y and Z friends...that and our good friend wine. If nursing school doesn't turn us into alcoholics..."

I laughed as I read it and then commented, "Just wait, if nursing school doesn't turn you into an alcoholic then your first year as a nurse will!"  Laugh, laugh.

And now my co-workers and I laugh at the end of a hard day about whether it was a "one or 2 glass sorta night."  Generally, the super hard days that involve note writing at home are the 2 glasses types of nights!

So it was particularly funny when one of my favorite co-workers called me last night to say that I would be proud of her.  While she was pouring a glass of wine after a long day, it was the first time in 4 or 5 days (yes, we celebrate the small victories!).  I told her that I indeed was impressed, and asked her what she replaced her wine vice with.  Because I KNOW it's not something you just toss to the side without a replacement.

While I was completely joking in asking this question, she sheepishly replied, "Yeah, I've taken up online shopping!"

We both laughed so hard!! Oh boy. 

She then replied, "I think I'm going to stick with the wine, because it's definitely cheaper!"

So I'm not sure what it is about nursing school, nursing in general, grad school or being an APN, but there is a direct correlation with that and wine consumption!  Now there's a smart research study waiting to be done!

Are you a wine drinker??? If not, what is your post-nursing/APN hard day vice???

1 comment:

  1. Definitely love me some wine (well a certain kind anyway). I have heard that nures drink quite a bit, but so far I have avoided that too much. But then again, I'm an eater so that probably takes the place....I think wine might be better for me!

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