I work in the surgery department of a smaller hospital. I am older than most of the nurses that work there. Several of the young doctors and nurses are the same kids that hung out at my house growing up. I have three daughters that are the same age as many of them.
We live on a lake and there were always fun things to do. We spent many days on the boat. We taught several of the kids to water ski. Swim wear was always in fashion.
I always loved that my daughters were comfortable to bring their friends here. Most of the kids were here so often they called me Mom! I actually think that we should have been collecting child support from some of the parents!
I always tried to be that cool mom! Many times, I loaded our full-size custom van and took an oversized load of teenagers to water parks in the summer and concerts when the weather turned cooler.
It was interesting glancing in the rear-view mirror on the late-night return trip and seeing the tired young people sleeping with bodies tangled together as I drove them home. Sleep overs usually meant kids (boys and girls) were scattered all over the house. Looking back, I probably wasn't the best chaperone.
During the week everything back in surgery is strictly business and professional. Well at least when it is required. It is an unwritten rule that anything that happens back in surgery, stays in surgery. On weekends the doctors and us nurses rotate being, "on call". It isn't a terrible thing because it pays well. The downside is you have to stay available just encase you are needed.
One weekend I was on call at the same time as our newest Doctor/Surgeon. I got called and headed to work. I hadn't entirely got changed into sterile scrubs when the Doctor walked in. Trust me we change clothes so often at work that modesty is something that is nonexistent back in the surgery department.
"Hi Pam, I am really glad you the one who is working today, I am a little nervous," the young doctor said.
I just smiled and said," You'll do fine, just relax, you got this!" Then even though I wasn't completely dressed, we shared a hug.
Just like nearly always on weekends there are few people back there. It's just the surgeon, the anesthesiologist and a nurse. Well of course we have a patient!