Last month I talked about being grateful for what we have. This month I am going to talk about the power of giving back or paying it forward.
So what has sparked this for me to want to write about it? Well last month I advertised on Face Book the library that is now available for professional development educations hours. One response came back with “About time nurses had protected education time and that it was paid for”
Now I didn’t respond to it because I do not feel we need to get into a tit for tat, right wrong sort of debate in a public forum like Face Book as there are too many negative posts on there any way.
However, my question is “Whose responsibility is your practicing certificate?” It is not the DHB or your employers. It is yours. If you don’t keep up with your professional development and fail the competencies for your practicing certificate, do you really think the DHB or your employer is going to enable you to keep working No! They will look to replace you tomorrow.
Do not think you are so precious and indispensable. Who every employs you owes you nothing? You owe it to yourself and your patients/residents/clients to keep up to date with current information AND pay for it yourself. You can look at it as paying it forward: being grateful that you have work because a lot of people don’t. Think more about what you can contribute rather than what you can take. What has happened to our community? Is it no longer cool to give back?
This year, I have purchased for my grandchildren so cards Acts of Kindness or AOK. These cards are about encouraging people to be kind. The first card I picked up said “Children love toys under the tree. Buy something for someone not as lucky as me.” The next card I pulled was “Candy canes are a Christmas treat. Leave some for strangers now that would be neat.” The third care said “Ring someone for no reason at all. Tell them you love them on that call.”
Now it struck me that if we could foster some of this kindness in our workplace, then what a great place it would be. Instead of your employer thanking you, why don’t you thank them for a change. Instead of your employer paying for you to work and train, why don’t you pay for your own training to thank your employer for giving you the opportunity to work.
I know it is easy to think your employer has an infinite amount of money and can pay to keep you in work. The reality is they do not have a pot of gold available to pay for everything they would like. I am sure they would like to pay you more. I’m sure they would love to be able to give all the staff you need to make your job easier. I’m sure they would love to be able to pay for unlimited training to keep your skills up. But they don’t.
Having a job is a privilege not a right. Show some gratitude towards your employer and do something for them this Christmas. Show them you appreciate them: that they do not only help you put food on the table and roof over the head of your family. That you appreciate them giving you the opportunity to feel worthwhile and valued; that they give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning. That they give you a reason to smile each day and care.
Remember giving back doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It is the little things that count. 2020 has been a hard year for everyone so why not let’s make 2121 a year of giving and forgiving. Of loving and appreciating everyone around you. Of spreading love, not gossip and falsehoods.
May your Christmas be one of joy and giving. Of loving and laughter. Of joy and thankfulness. Till next year. Merry Christmas.