marcoujor: The Generation Bond

I've decided to resurrect some 'oldies but goodies' as I re-publish some favorite posts from up to four years ago for the next forSEEable future...

​As I contemplated my life balance over the next couple months, I reminded myself that a repeat / rerun does not have to be a bad thing. In fact, I am usually able to gain new insights from reading something a second time.

​I also appreciate how my reading audience has grown. As such, this timeless post may be brand new to you.

Thanks for reading, sharing and understanding if my replies to your wonderful comments are delayed a bit and on the brief side.

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I spent my weekends in the month of April taking nursing students to a skilled living facility on a geriatric clinical rotation.

What an exciting time in the lives of my students! In one short weekend, almost all are convinced they have chosen the profession of their heart ~ nursing.

When asking students on Saturday morning to rate their level of anxiety from one (low) to ten ('I'm outta here!'), I'll typically have most checking in at a six or seven.  By Sunday afternoon, it's rare to hear a score more than a two from my beautiful women and men...

The high point of the day for me is watching the relationships build between resident and student.  With some there is a seventy year age difference - yet the common ties I discover both astound and delight me.  Many of the students are actively applying the Golden Rule, as they lovingly tell me about their grandparents.

I'll admit these residents are easy to fall in love with.  They are bright, feisty, funny, opinionated - come to think of it, they have the same qualities we have...(LOL)!

I have heard Mom's words coming out of quite a few mouths- such as, "I was out like a light".  It's magical when I encounter an elder telling one of my students their wise life lessons.  The students leave this experience transformed, as do I...

So far, I've been getting some heartwarming feedback about these future nurses as I talk to the residents.  I'm proud that the future of my profession show compassion, respect and kindness with their every action...take a look at some of the comments for yourself: 

​1- She was nice.

2- She smiled at me.

3- He listened to my stories.

4- She laughed at my jokes.

5- She didn't rush me.

6- She made me feel young!

7- She gave me the best backrub...the best hands.

8- He was respectful of my privacy.

9- She got me creamer for my coffee.

10- She was an angel - she washed my hair.

11- She held my hand until the nurse came with my pain medicine.

And how lovely that the nursing staff have shared this feedback with me about my students:

1- They are a godsend.

2- The residents love your students.

3- Thank you for bringing these helping hands.

4- They make me smile - love them.

5- What a big help they are.

6- They are meant to be nurses.

7-  They have big hearts.

A friend sent me a FaceBook quiz to determine my life motto - check out my uncanny, and characteristic, results:

"Choose a job you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life." Maria Jordan

Hmmm ... am I that obvious?  Guilty as charged... and I thank my students for inspiring me enough to share my 'work' with you.

Wanted to end this one with a little "Love and Happiness"... as sung by Al Green:​

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ShoutOuts

☙ If Plagiarism Was A Killer Disease.... Via Martie’s Foyer

​☙ No Rockin' Chairs - Just Rockin' On!Via WarnerWords

☙ Name Dropping: You on the list? Via flashPress

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Until next month, be inspired by the youth and elders around you...

Peace, mar