Nursing

Letter to a Patient from a Nurse:

Dear Patient,

You probably don’t remember me,but I was your nurse.  I took care of you when you had your baby, took care of your sick child, comforted you when you were in pain.  I worked extra shifts on holidays and weekends because you needed me.  I rejoiced when you got better.  Cried with you when you needed a friend and tried to help you find the answers.  I sang and talked to you when you seemed unresponsive because I knew you were in there.  I brought Easter baskets for your children so they wouldn’t be disappointed when they came to see you on Easter.  I hugged you and your family.  I talked to you about things outside the hospital to give you something else to think about, trying to bring you a story that would interest you everyday, unless you just needed me to be quiet with you.  I was there for your miracle and to hold your hand when you died talking to Mama.  I never corrected you, knowing it was her hand you were holding.

Nursing was my job, but taking care of you was my privilege.  Thank you for letting me be a part of your life.

 

Decision to Enter Nursing

I was never one of those little girls who dreamed of being a nurse.  My interaction with nurses was mostly getting shots at the health unit.  It was the least appealing job I could imagine.  I got a degree in education .  I was a total misfit as a teacher and wanted no part of that field.  A stay at home mom, I was content raising my two children thinking, sometime when the time was right, I’d pursue some other discipline.

A friend called one day, wanting to know if I’d keep her son for a couple of hours so she could go register for nursing school.  To my shock, I answered, “No, I’m going to nursing school!”  Where in the world had that come from?  . I never looked back.  I registered for nursing school that afternoon.  My poor husband was incredulous when he came home. Since I already had a degree, it only took two years to finish.  I spent the next thirty years as as nurse, the perfect job for me.  It was the best decision that was ever made for me.

Lessons from Michael

A few months into my first nursing job, I met Michael, the patient who put me on the road to true nursing. Still limping down the painful road from enjoying success in nursing school to putting it into practice, I drove home most days thinking, “I can’t go back tomorrow. I can’t go back tomorrow.”  I lived in terror of getting caught alone with a patient whose survival depended on all that “nursing magic” that had so far sailed over on my head.  Orienting on an acute dialysis unit, my only useful skills were a pretty good nursing vocabulary, understanding of aseptic technique, and the complete understanding that there was no question too stupid for me to ask.  I would have never have made it if my supervisor had been one of those who “ate her young.” (terrorized new nurses) Continue reading →