The Power of Improvisation

One thing you can say about most nurse managers is that they are incredible at improvising, both at work and in their personal lives. Nurse managers also know that typically—although not always—if things seem to be going smoothly, one of two situations is pending:

• Something bad is happening behind the scenes and the scoop just has not gotten to you
• Strap in because something is around the corner just waiting to tip your boat

I thought I had this whole back to school thing figured out. I was keeping up with assignments and my workload, even planned a trip home for mom's birthday. And then, “it” happened. I fractured the head of my distal radius (Of course it had to be my dominant hand.) I wish I had some fancy, courageous story about how it happened while working in the ED or falling off my horse. Basically, it was a scenario where I tripped and I fell. Support is all around me, everyone is sharing their version of recovery nightmares with elbow fractures, and it's not pretty. Did I mention this happened the week my 21-page final for one of my courses was due?

I have learned that graduate school professors can be very understanding, and by the way I got an "A" on that paper. Typing with one hand takes more time, medication, and patience. Keeping up with school reading takes longer now as the books are much too heavy (I am up to lifting one pound at this point.) As time moves along and I am starting week three after the fracture, the physical therapy journey begins. This is where you appreciate the relevance of the 1-10 pain scale. I will never roll my eyes again at a patient who responds to the pain scale with the number 100. Did I mention the thank-you note I am considering sending to the makers of pain medication?

Oh, and did you know that if you hold a jar of peanut butter between your legs and use your non-dominant hand, you can still make a pretty good sandwich for kids? And did you know that even if you cannot sign your name to your credit card purchase, the store thinks nothing of you just scribbling anything on the receipt?

Anyway, with two courses down and a third halfway completed, I begin health care delivery systems next week as my 4th class. To stay motivated through this process, one has to keep the end in sight and I have done this with a wall chart that I peek at. At a glance, I can see the courses done (or at least 50% completed) along with my target date for completion.

If I can keep my clumsy self intact through the remainder of school, I just might make that target.

What about you? Do you have a story of improvisation when you made the best of a tough situation?