THE LOVE OF NURSING

To me, nursing is one of the wonderful professions
that anyone can be part of. It allows you to give of
yourself, to receive so much from your patients and
to hopefully make another's life more bearable. If you
have ever been sick, you remember how you
felt and many times, you have felt totally alone,
discouraged, helpless and yes, even hopeless at
times. To me, the nurse should be there to let
each person know, first and foremost, that someone
truly does care about them and their needs. Nursing isn't
about sticking a pill in a mouth, giving a shot,
doing a treatment or applying bandages. Nursing
is letting that individual know you are there because
you care about them and they are the most important
part of your day. Taking the time to listen to what
a person has to say and actually listening to what they
are conveying can mean so much. So many times
in the medical field, it seems like patients are on
an assembly line...get them in and get them out and on
to the next one. Many health care professionals don't take the
time to hear what the person has to say and they often forget
that they are PEOPLE. Each patient deserves our undivided
attention and our caring. Even though we may be busy, the patient
is the reason we are where we are and we should always
have time for them. From the small child who has a cut to
the elderly gentleman who is lonely and afraid; they each
deserve the special devotion and care we have to give.
NO ONE deserves less than that.

Whether in the hospital setting, the physician's office,
the industrial setting, the home health or
hospice setting, we each have so much to contribute.
The little things we take the
time to do mean more than we will ever know. Isn't
that what life and living are all about?
To make this world a better place through
our actions? When faced with a world full of people
who don't have the time or who just don't care,
the nurse should be there to
lend a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold,
a smile to brighten their day,
to give a hug that says,
"I care about you and you are important to me."

Below are a couple poems I have written which
pretty well sums up nursing for me. Nursing is
not only helping the sick to get well,
it is also providing quality of life to those we care for,
and yes, it is also being there for those whose life
is at an end and helping them by letting them know
they are not alone and someone really does care.

THE NURSE
What better profession could one want to do
Than being a nurse with so much that's new?
Making others feel better and easing their pain,
Bringing sunshine to their life, instead of just rain.
Not only to heal but to be there for them too,
To help them by the little things that you do.
Sometimes nursing is helping another to die,
With dignity and grace as they say their goodbye.
Nursing is not just the healing, it is helping one be,
All that they can, mentally and physically.
It is listening when no one else hears,
It is sitting there quietly when they shed their tears.
It is laughing at stories of their life in the past,
It is being there with them, right up to the last.
With nursing, I always have a warm glow inside,
Knowing that what I do matters, that I really tried.
A thank you is not needed, I know what I do,
I love what I do and look forward to each day too.

DO UNTO OTHERS

In this busy world, we often don't think,
What it's like being on the other end of the stick.
As the nurse, have you been forced, the patient to be?
Have you felt what it's like when she's too busy to see?
Have you been on the end that gets ignored and passed over?
Phone calls not returned day after day and over and over?

So those nurses, doctors, receptionists and caregivers,
Should think of the many lives they touch and how to deliver,
The care that tells others they're important to you,
And show them you love the work that you do,
Cause one of these days role reversal may come,
And then you'll know how it feels when you're the mistreated one.

Thou Shalt Not Ignore

From a truck driver to a doctor,
From a factory worker to a nurse,
What we think of others shows,
Whether with a smile or a curse.
If we choose a profession of caring,
But of ourselves we aren't sharing,
We leave behind an impression,
Of disdain instead of compassion.

If to a simple question we do not respond,
We say to someone, "You're not important, I'll ignore"
By ignoring just one the ripples of water begin,
The feelings of hurt and betrayal to others you'll send.
People don't call just to pester the nurse,
They call cause they believe she puts others first.
So remember when you ignore others, just one or two,
Many more will hear you are uncaring before they are through.

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