IN PRAISE OF NURSES

The secret to experiencing joy in your work is contained in one word—excellence.  To do something well is to enjoy it.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. 

Colossians 3:23-24

Hello Everyone!  I have returned following successful back surgery.  Thank you all for your prayers!

My surgery was quite extensive, and I required a great deal of care post-surgery.  Fortunately, I was blessed with a staff of remarkable nurses.  I was so grateful for their expertise and professionalism, and especially for their kindness.  Over the week that I was hospitalized, I observed these nurses as they cared for me, and I was amazed at the scope of their work and how they carried it out.  I felt so impressed that I wanted my first blog post upon returning to highlight the wonderful work of nurses.  And fortuitously, this week happens to be National Nurses Week, so my post honoring them is well-timed!

Florence Nightingale is responsible for the founding of modern nursing.

After working as a nurse and making many changes to improve the health care system, in 1860 she formalized nursing education by establishing the first scientifically based nursing school, the Nightingale School of Nursing, at St. Thomas Hospital in London.  Her school developed and improved the nursing profession, contributing to making nursing an organized and respectable vocation.  International Nurses Day is observed on May 12, which commemorates Florence Nightingale’s birthday and celebrates the important role of nurses in health care.

Nursing is among the most rewarding jobs.

It provides a variety of opportunities to care for people during the most significant moments of their lives.  It’s also among the most demanding jobs because it often involves life-or-death moments, with patients confronting life-threatening illnesses, injuries, or conditions.

Sometimes I think we take for granted the important work that nurses do. As they go about performing their duties, we tend not to even notice how proficiently and professionally they are working.  But they’re indispensable—their care directly benefits the life of another human being.

My hospital stay deepened my admiration for nurses.

Immediately following my surgery, I couldn’t do anything for myself.  Yet there was a nurse, taking care of my needs and attending to things I didn’t even know needed attending.  I was in so much pain, and she not only was kind, but sympathetic to my condition.  She made me feel cared for and safe, and she did it with such ease and grace.

The week I spent in a hospital room was characterized by the same type of care from the various nurses who were attending me.  They were patient and kind and definitely made me feel cared for, listened to, and understood.  And they consistently conducted themselves in this professional manner amidst having to also attend to other patients on the floor summoning them for assistance. 

There was one man in particular who kept calling out loudly, “Help me.”  It was a heartbreaking thing to hear.  This gentleman was suffering from dementia, and on my walks in the hallway going past his room, I witnessed the nurses being so patient and kind with him. 

I need to mention that in addition to all this, they dispense medications to their patients.  Just keeping track of all my medications was a noteworthy feat!  But they had to do that with each patient on the floor, dispensing the proper medication at the proper time.  I know they have computers now to help them with this, but it still is a vital responsibility that they have among all their other responsibilities caring for the patients on their floor.

Nurses are to be admired.

I worked as an administrative assistant in the corporate world, and I noticed that when I was doing my job well and as required, I became invisible in a way.  Things were getting done in a smooth and orderly manner.  It was expected of me, so I didn’t get praise and accolades and compliments every minute.  That was my job, and I was pleased and proud to do it.

That’s how it is with nurses.  They get their work done, quietly going about their important activities in such a professional manner that you don’t even notice them.  Yet we need to notice them and to thank them for the vital work they do. 

Thank you, nurses!  You are awesome!!