Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC

Do you ever look through social media and think that your life doesn’t measure up? All those posts from families where the kids are perfect performers while yours can’t even get their dishes into the sink?

Or you see a wife publish a gushing post where her husband just made her a gourmet dinner because she had a long day and all you want to do is smack your partner upside the back of their head and say, “You don’t even make me toast or tea and Jenny gets Châteaubriand with baby gold potatoes!!” while your poor partner has no idea what the heck you are talking about?

So, yeah, if we compare our lives to others’, it can seem like we don’t measure up. But it’s our fault. I mean, do you really think people are going to post the mundane and “blech” stuff on social media? 

But there are places on social media platforms where people do open their hearts and show the pain of the daily grind. For example, there is a great group on FB, one for directors of nursing/ADONs (you have to ask to be invited in) where you can share, get advice and see that the stuff you go through is either what everyone else is going through, or sometimes, not as bad as what others are struggling with. The mentors in the group really help those who are struggling. DONs share policies, advise or just let someone know they are there for them. 

I am sure there are groups for other LTC professionals too. It’s nice to know someone out there “gets” you and what you go through on a daily basis. With all the nastiness that has been in social media, it’s cool to see that social media can also have a good side, right?

Like a virtual hug from someone who cares. And no urge to smack someone upside the head because you’re reading that someone else is living the perfect life! Because we know in LTC that doesn’t exist, yet sometimes, with the right support, it can be pretty awesome!

Just keeping it real,

Nurse Jackie

The Real Nurse Jackie is written by Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC, Senior Director of Clinical Innovation and Education for Mission Health Communities, LLC and an APEX Award of Excellence winner for Blog Writing. Vance is a real-life long-term care nurse. A nationally respected nurse educator and past national LTC Nurse Administrator of the Year, she also is an accomplished stand-up comedienne. The opinions supplied here are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her employer or her professional affiliates.