Sometimes I wonder why I chose this profession. I mean, let's face it: it's hard work, it can be gross, it can be utterly exhausting. There have been some days when I've left the hospital feeling miniscule and frustrated. I hate invading people's personal space on a daily basis. I don't enjoy feeling like I constantly fail to measure up to the standards that I should be meeting. I hate heparin shots.

Then I have days when I realize that everything I'm doing, no matter how challenging, no matter how not fun or how frustrating it can be, is worthwhile. I really love getting to take care of people. I like serving them in a way that they really need. I like the way being a nurse makes me think, the way it challenges me. I love knowing that at the end of the day, I made a difference.

The trick, I think, is finding the balance between the two. When I have a bad day at work, it's way too easy to get caught up in the stress of the situation. I can start to get worried because I can't do everything perfectly. I need to remember that I'm human, therefore I will not be perfectly able to handle everything thrown at me. And that's ok.

Lord, help me to rely on Your strength, not mine.