Nomadic Nurse Diaries

Dear Diary of Small Victories and Sweet Validation,

Here’s a fun fact about me: I’m neurodivergent. ADHD, diagnosed as an adult, medicated, and seeing a practitioner monthly to keep working on myself. It takes me forever to open up to people, but once I do, it’s like this whole weight lifts. So, after two months of working here, I think it’s finally happening—I’m bonding with the corrections custody staff, and let me tell you, it feels damn good.

Yesterday, one of the ladies in control (aka the homies with the power to open and close doors) handed me candy, which, in my world, is the equivalent of saying, “will you be my platonic lobster.” I love her. She’s got that awesome radio voice that makes everything sound like an official broadcast, and she’s got ADHD, too, (or my observations tell me yes she does) so we’re vibing on a cosmic level. It’s little things like this that make showing up every day feel better.

People are starting to recognize me, throw my name around, and toss jokes my way. It feels good, building these connections with my coworkers, like I’m finally settling in. I never imagined prison work would bring this sense of belonging, but here we are—an odd little family getting through the shifts together. Somehow, I’m starting to feel like I can let my guard down a little and just be myself.

Honestly, I’m respecting their work so much more these days. I always have respected them for how difficult their job is- I sure as hell wouldn’t want to do it. These guys go through a lot, and seeing the grind from their side has been humbling. It’s this weird up-and-down, though—one weekend I’m absolutely loving it here, feeling like I’ve finally found my groove. And then the next weekend, I’m ready to call it quits, wondering if this job is a fever dream.

But right now? Right now, I’m just soaking up the good vibes, hoping they stick around. Because I’ve learned to take these small victories where I can find them.

Your settling in maybe,

Nomadic Nurse