Categories: uncategorized
Date: 29 March 2005 22:18:11
It has to be said, working for the NHS there really aren't that many (perks, that is). But, one of my favourite things about health visiting is that when I'm pounding the streets of Lewisham I often bump into clients who usually seem really pleased to see me, tell me about what's happening with them and their kids, and it just makes me in some way feel like a more significant part of the community (of course, I have been known to plan my route to minimise the chance of bumping into certain clients, so I'm not the perfect angel by any stretch of the imagination, but don't tell anyone). I bumped into someone today who's just gone back to work, she was telling me how well her son is settling into nursery, but she also said how she often sees me tramping the streets going from home visit to home visit, and yet how much she felt that despite being busy I give time to people. She also said that, having talked about me with other mums (eek!) they had said the same. I felt a bit of a fraud, as this morning I'd had a mum phone up to ask for a home visit and my heart had literally sunk as she's *such* hard work and I really really wanted to foist her on to my colleague - the reality of much community nursing I think you'll find! - but also really chuffed at a bit of positive feedback, as usually all we get are the complaints. That is the kind of feedback that does make it worthwhile and is a definite perk, it really does give me a lift, although I'd be so embarrassed if she knew the reality of how often my eyes roll and/or my heart sinks when particular people phone or come to clinic.
In other news, I'm feeling less stressed about my references for the funding application - referee 2 who I thought was on holiday till next week left a message today saying she's back and really proud of me for getting this far and wanting to discuss the reference - so it looks like I won't be cutting it quite so fine as usual after all (phew).
I'm also trying to plan the start of the detox diet next week (and will be fitting in as many cream teas as I can at the Wightmeet prior to starting it!) - a lot of the veg and soup recipes look delicious, but I just wish I liked fruit more as that's a big part of it. And the first day's breakfast is a smoothie that includes evil celery - thank goodness it's not all like that.