Nurses just don’t get enough credit. Their job is hard! I can tell you right now that I couldn’t do it. Growing up, I watched my Momma work for the hospital — from a school nurse, to taking care of people in their homes. It was great having a nurse for a mom, EXCEPT (notice that is in all caps) for days you wanted to play sick. If you weren’t having a fever, throwing up, or may I say, crapping yourself, you were in school. I would try pulling fast ones, but each time, she knew. She’s a smart little whipper-snapper! No one hated school more than me. I tried to get out of it anytime I thought I could. I was in the nurse’s office often, and at this point, my momma was a school nurse at Stevens and Sheridan Elementary. The funny part is her boss was my nurse. Nothing like the nurse’s daughter filling out her sick card before the year was over — sorry, Momma.
I watched Mom on career day, going to her school and taking care of other kids. Dealing with blood, poo, throw up, and making sure kids had their medication. I’m thinking, “How does she deal with this day in and day out?” I never wanted to be her in that aspect, but I wanted to be the mom and wife she was someday. The nurse thing just wasn’t in my future. The best part of career day was eating lunch at Brandon Park in the car. She would pack a special lunch, and there we sat between going to each school and eating lunch together. I’ll never forget those lunches with my momma each year.
As I was in the hospital a few weeks back, I would walk the halls. I really got to know the nurses at Jersey Shore Hospital on the second floor. By the time I left at the end of the week, I had gained new friends. They all took such good care of me. Once in a while, I’d have to hit the call button and, on the other end, would hear, “Yooo!” It always made me smile because I knew we had gained a new level of patient status. Hahaha! I’d walk the halls and would have such great convos with a lot of these ladies. They couldn’t stop long but always stopped to ask how I was feeling. A few of my nurses would come to visit my room even if I wasn’t their patient that day. They were so attentive and gave me the care I needed.
The things nurses go through and see in a day deserve some kind of award. Even through COVID, nurses and doctors were the ones on the front lines. It’s just eye-opening to see when you are a part of their environment day in and day out — walking the halls and seeing patients that were so sick.
Not only were the nurses so sweet, but I got to know the cleaning ladies, people who brought you food, and lots of others who make a hospital function like it’s supposed to. I would thank the ladies who cleaned my room each day and ask them how their days were. They are important too! They would wipe the floor, empty trash, and just come in with a smile. I looked forward to seeing their smiling faces each day.
Big thanks to Jersey Shore Hospital for the terrific care. To my wonderful and very attentive doctors, caring nurses, and everyone in between, I am so grateful. Thank you for all that you do.
This week we have a one dish wonder that takes less than 15 minutes to make!
Perfect for a rainy spring day. Pure comfort food.
Crock-Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients:
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut in chunks and seasoned
• 2 Tbs. butter
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 package refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces
*I cut up the chicken into chunks, seasoned with salt, pepper, and chicken seasoning. Then placed in the refrigerator the night before to make sure chicken had lots of flavor.*
Place the chicken, butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover. About a half a cup or so.
After 3 hours i added 2-3 tbsp of flour to thicken up the broth and a little extra salt for more flavor.
Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hours on High. About 30 minutes before serving, place the torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Place the lid back on and cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center. Then rub some butter on top of biscuits before serving.
Optional: Any veggies! I put in baby carrots an hour before it was ready.
