Are you weary, Florence?

Greetings! If you have found your way here, it's probably because you have Googled the meaning of "jaded nurse" or are perhaps wondering if you have become one. For that, I am truly sorry because I know all too well the road you have traveled to get here. I'm Florence Careweary, RN. If my name doesn't already tip you off, I've been a nurse for over thirty fabulous and yet somehow heartbreaking years. Yes, you read that right. My wrinkles aren't just from age; they're also from resisting the urge to raise my eyebrow whenever a doctor says, "Can I borrow your pen?"

Oh, how the landscape of nursing has changed! From the days when charting was done with ink and quill (okay, maybe not THAT far back) to today's advanced EHR systems, which magically crash just as you're about to finish charting that all-important narrative note after a code, the nursing profession has morphed into something I barely recognize. I remember when patient-centered care meant more time at the bedside than at the computer. Now, it's about whiteboards, scripted, highly curated communication, patient satisfaction as measured by surveys, and overwhelmingly stressful interactions with physicians who are either burned out or are too young to understand the significance of practicing medicine as a "healing art." If this is "advancement," then I genuinely fear what the future holds.

But fear not, dear jaded nurses. You are not alone. We are a tribe. A unique blend of cynicism, compassion, dark humor, and the inexplicable desire to keep showing up, shift after soul-crushing shift. I understand your frustrations, your groans at yet another policy change, and your silent screams every time someone says, "But you only work three days a week, right?" Together, we can navigate this maze of modern medicine while holding on to our empathy, compassion, and sanity ... or at least what's left of it. 

So, welcome to our gloriously jaded community! Where your daily dose of sarcasm is considered a vital sign "within normal limits," and the mantra is: "I've seen it all and survived!" Let's band together, roll our eyes in unison, and remember: We might be jaded, but we sure as hell are not alone.

With a heaping bedpan full of empathy, a dash of compassion, and a sprinkle of side-eye,

Florence Careweary, RN

P.S. If you ever need to vent, I'm all ears. Well, half an ear ... the other half has hearing loss from all those beeping monitors.