Nomadic Nurse Diaries

Dear Friends,

I love you all, and I will miss you terribly. Sadness fills me when I think about what I am leaving behind. My friends are like my siblings, an extension of my family. My social circles are smaller than some, but our connections are deeper than most.

Today’s entry is all about the emotional rollercoaster of going away gatherings. I’ve been making the rounds with my different social groups at work, and let me tell you, it’s been a whirlwind of laughter, tears, and just the right amount of chaos.

First up was dinner with “The Breakfast Club,” aka my work family from the nightshift weekend group. Our tradition was to get breakfast at a local diner or cafe after our “Fridays” (the last shift of my string of four). We’d vent about difficult patients, residents who seemed to exist solely to test our patience, and the latest coworker dramas. This dinner was no different. These amazing people have been my rock, mentoring me and helping me navigate the stressful waters of the ICU. During the pandemic, I was their CNA, and they helped raise me as a nurse. They are more than coworkers; they are family, and they mean the world to me. It felt so good to share laughs and swap stories one last time.

Then there was the outing with two of my closest friends, both newer nurses like me. We spent the evening talking about how stressful the MICU is, especially as new grads. We also made plans for where we might do a travel contract together in the future. They both want to leave soon as well, so who knows, maybe our paths will cross again on the road. It’s comforting to know we’re all in this crazy nursing journey together. Oh, and during our drunken night out, one of my friends convinced me to create a dating profile because he’s worried I won’t meet people out there… rude! Lol. We did it that night out on the patio of the bar while people watching for hours. We’d voiceover trainwreck first dates and judge the shit out of people lol.

Last night was an absolute riot. I went out with three other friends, all from the MICU as well. Two of them split time with the CVICU and one splits with the ED. These girls are absolutely crazy, and I absolutely love them! They’re type A, brilliant, and fearless. One of them is even talking about joining the FBI because she wants a career change. She’s Japanese and wants to work in counterterrorism. Like I said, badass! These three have already planned a road trip to come see me in Washington and explore Seattle together. I’m beyond thrilled!

And let’s not forget the wild night out with a bigger group of my coworkers. We hit up a few dive bars, played pool and bingo, and even met a few coworkers’ wives. We took way too many shots, and at one point, I was drinking wine out of a straw—classy, I know. I think there was a tattoo convention in town because the bar was packed with older men covered in tattoos. And let’s just say, I’m into that.

Leaving these incredible people is bittersweet, but I know these friendships are here to stay. They’re the kind of friends who will always be part of my life, no matter where our nursing careers take us. I couldn’t be happier to be surrounded by such an amazing support system.

Regardless of where I find myself, my friends all know there will always be a place for them to stay with me.

Until next time,
The Nomadic Nurse