Today in clinical I had a patient who was cranky, short-tempered,
and not so pleased with us...and wasn't afraid to express it.
Usually when this happens, you can take it as an indicator
of what the rest of the day will be like with them.
And it's so easy to put a label on someone after something
like that happens, and you can't help but dread going into their room.

But today, we [the other nursing student and I] really tried to
practice patience and empathy with her.
We were extra kind and did anything we could
to help her and make her more comfortable.

By the end of our shift, she was calling us sweethearts
and apologized for being snappy earlier.
I know its nothing that significant, but it really made my day,
and really reaffirmed that the little things can make a big difference.
[and also, that nursing is something I still want to do hehe]