I’ve had a few people be really concerned today, almost angry for me, because I basically collapsed at work from not being able to breathe, went to the ER to get treated, and then walked right back to my floor to finish my 12-hour shift.
But that’s just kind of how healthcare is, unfortunately.
I started as a CNA 14 years ago, and now I’m an RN, and the story has always been the same:
You show up to your shift.
No matter what.
Some of you have been following my story from the beginning, and some of you haven’t.
But the night my ex strangled me, it happened right before I was supposed to leave for work. I was putting my scrubs on, getting ready to go, when he grabbed me, shoved me into the wall, then put his hands around my neck and shook me.
When I got to work, I was messaging my manager about what had happened, and the expectation was still that I work my shift and go to the ER afterward.
So that’s what I did.
I had bruise marks on my neck while I was taking care of other people.
I’m not saying that’s right.
I’m not saying that’s okay.
But it is reality.
You have no idea what your healthcare worker’s day looked like before they showed up for that shift.
You have no idea.