Nurses get PTSD 2!

Tattoo by Coco at Fearless Tattoos

This tattoo represents the end of an era! I always thought that I would be a labour and delivery nurse for life. Perinatal bereavement in particular was so dear to me, my passion, my purpose. But after 30 years of built up trauma, I was unable to perform my job the way I wanted to, the way my patient's deserved. I decided to take a little time off. That little time off has turned into over a year and a half of medication trial and errors and intense, difficult therapy dealing with my PTSD. Yes, nurses get PTSD too! I will not be returning to a job that was so rewarding but also so painful for so long. I only wish that I knew that the last baby I delivered would be my last, but they were all so memorable and I will have the memories forever whether they be joyful, sad or even painful. I will always be a nurse, but decided that it was time for less trauma, less giving of myself and being more present at home. I recently came across a Facebook video from RN2writer Elizabeth Hanes. She coaches nurses and other healthcare providers to become medical freelance writers, bought her eBook, read it in 2 days, joined her welcome platform and decided this was my chance. I still want to contribute and this way i can educate more than one patient/client at a time! This represents a farewell to what was my second home and family in the Birthing Unit. I'm proud of myself for taking care of me for once, as a nurse you always take care of others first. Just one final thought: when you find out that someone is a labour and delivery nurse

, know that it's not cuddling babies and knitting hats...sometimes it's hard, scary, painful and sad.