Nurses’s Hands

Nurse’s hands are not known for their beauty. More than likely, they are dry, being washed dozens of times a day. Frequent use of lotion can not keep these skilled hands supple and dewy. Nails are most often short, since longer nails interfere with the sensitive touch necessary to perform care. Longer nails are a detriment to gloves essential to protect both nurse, patient, and the environment.

Here you see a man’s strong hands that have cared for so many critically ill patients. Their strength gives no hint of the arthritis he endures daily as he cares for patients. His patients never know os of pain.

This is my hand with its square palm and short ringless fingers. Even though I’ve been retired for years, I find longer nails interfere with my daily tasks. My hands cared for countless patients and charted thousands of words.

This young nurse’s hands are remarkable for their youth and beauty, showing her recent manicure. Nevertheless, as I watched her at work, I was grateful to see her compliance with gloving and handwashing. She professionally and expertly administered my immunizations.

A compassionate nurse comforts an aged patient here. That may be the strongest medicine she has to offer. Many times I sang or talked to my comatose patients, not knowing whether or not I was heard. Numerous times, I’ve had a dying patient call me “Mama.” I never corrected them, thinking perhaps they were seeing Mama.

15 thoughts on “Nurses’s Hands”

  3. This is such a beautiful post. Thank you. I have workman’s hands (or work women’s) due to years of painting outside in all sorts of weather conditions….and never taking time out to really look after my hands….short nails to:) For years I painted huge murals which meant working on scaffolding and again not having time nor desire to look after my hands and nails. Years ago I was with my cousin in Wales – and she caught me putting some hand cream on…..She said ‘you are years too late for that’ – and we both laughed a lot:) I do admire beautiful hands…..

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  6. It is part of the deal, isn’t it? But I think nice and long finger nails have not the priority in minds of people who are focused on saving lives and improving other people’s health. I never had nice hands, and my finger nails never grew nice either. When I started my therapy practice, I was reliefed that I had to keep them short. No stress with long nails anymore.

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