Twas the night.....

Twas the night of my shift, and all through the hall,
Not a patient was stirring, but I knew one would call.
The call bells were hung at the bedside with care,
In hopes that when pushed, a nurse would be there.
The patients were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of going home, danced in their heads.
And the charge nurse with her charts, and I with mine too,
had just settled our brains, for a break overdue.
When out of one room, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair, to see what was the matter.
Away to the room, I went very quick,
It took lots of willpower, for me not to get sick.
The smell in the air was foul and strong,
I theorized to myself, what could have went wrong.
when what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a floor full of cdiff, and it all became clear.
With a little old patient, who tried to get up,
afraid to push the button, for fear she'd disrupt.
She'd called before, but nobody came
and she figured this time would be more of the same.
"No Doctors! No Nurses!
No Techs and no staff!
Call you for help, that must be a laugh!
How could you have time to answer my call,
When you have 6 other patients that makes 7 in all?"
As I looked at my patient, I knew this was true,
For there is only so much that one nurse can do!
Someone is thirsty, all need their meds,
Some of them need tucked back into their beds.
One of them needs help getting up,
Someone else can't reach their cup.
One of them is quite confused,
Another's call bell is overused.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard in the hall,
One tech finally coming, to answer the call.
I pushed that button more than 5 minutes ago,
We're all way to busy, it just goes to show.
The patient was covered from her head to her toe,
She had slipped and she fell, when she got up to go.
I asked if she was hurt and helped her up out of the mess,
Cleaned her up, took her vitals and helped her get dressed .
I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work,
and cleaned up the room then turned with a jerk.
And laying the call bell back onto the bed,
and adjusting the pillow that was under her head.
I said "Next time you need help, please give us a call,
We'll be in as soon as possible, we don't want you to fall."
I pulled up the covers right up to her chin,
And she looked up at me and said with a grin,
"Now that I'm clean and tucked in real tight,
Happy Charting to all, and to all a good night!"

Copyright©2006 Rachel Barnett