Healthcare is not the easiest career path. Anyone who is in it will tell you, from the hard working nurses and nurse aids at the bedside, to the physicians verifying orders and medications, to the patient transporters who have to make sure patients make it to their procedures in time. American medicine is tough. In comparison to many, I have one of the “easier jobs." I am a clinical dietitian, a specialist in medical nutrition therapy. I ensure that patients are being well nourished, well educated, or at least (somewhat) satisfied with their food during their hospital stay. People who receive adequate nutrition therapy generally have better outcomes and shorter hospital stays than those who don’t (It’s science! Google it!), which saves people and hospitals times and money.
As gentle as that sounds, the job can be just as mentally taxing as other positions. My particular vocation involves macronutrient calculations, lab and medicine report analyses, as well as long medical history reviews that make sure the patient is on the correct diet, consuming enough calorie and protein for their condition, receiving adequate vitamins and minerals, and thriving overall while in the hospital. My particular niche is cancer patients and palliative (or end-of-life) care patients. These groups can be especially challenging. I can have a large amount of involvement with a patient who is on chemotherapy or radiation, or I am only asking what a person’s food preferences are when the prognosis is poor. Some patients I have interactions with I know I may never see them again once they leave the hospital. This is both stressful, yet rewarding at the same time: it’s all about attitude.
Life is full of surprises. As children, surprises are often associated with good things, but as adults we often know that good surprise come up less, and less frequently. These events have a tendency to change our attitudes about life as we go through adulthood. So far, one of the best known ways to battle constant fear and anxiety of the future is to look at life from a different angle. There will always be “bad” people in the World, its common knowledge. People try to ‘get ahead’ in life by sabotaging the progress of others; some people might just steal what isn’t theirs only to possess it. But just because these “bad” people exist doesn’t mean we have to join them. The best way to combat this is to start with yourself.
“Always stay joyful, always stay kind.” This little phrase has become incredibly helpful in my daily life. I know life will throw these terrible surprises my way; challenges will come up, but to stop and look at life for what positive parts appear can balance out the stress of modern society. Being kind to others, no matter whom they are, can improve someone’s life, even with the smallest interaction. By creating a more positive attitude as an individual, we can create a more positive attitude in others. This sort of happiness can spread easily from person to person without direct acknowledgement. As people who live in our current society, it is our responsibility to manifest our attitudes into our environment. We have the ability to make a more positive world simply by changing our view of our situations and turning them into beneficial actions for everyone around us.
Of course, I am not saying that it is not okay to be sad, angry, or depressed. We all know life has tragedy. I am also very aware that mental illness takes a huge role in a person’s attitude. There are support groups, mental health professionals, and medications that can all be worthwhile when a person is ready to seek help. Luckily, no one is ever alone in a particular situation. Reach out. It may be surprising how many people are dealing with the similar problems. But for those individuals who need a little more spark in their lives, change your paradigm, not only for yourself but for others.
I was recently given the “Spirit Award” at work, which is an employee of the month type of award for the hospital I work for. This award is only given to two people each month that are selected by their peers and approved by a committee. I am incredibly grateful to work with amazing individuals on a daily basis, and to be selected by them has been an honor. A physician commented on my award one day, then asked me “How is it that you always keep a positive attitude in this field? It’s definitely not easy to do.” My answer for that: “Always stay joyful, always stay kind.”
