When I started my journey to become a registered nurse I never looked to become anything other than a helper. I wanted to ease the pain of the patients I helped. I didn’t know if that would be in hospital, clinic, or nursing home. I just wanted to stop help.
I’m 20 years down this journey as a nurse and there have been some bitter turns. I’ve worked from birth to death and I’ve never regretted a day.
Yesterday, while I was at work, I had a patient tell me I was “just a nurse” and I looked over my lifetime my years as a nurse and this what I saw.
As a nurse, I helped a young girl hell bent on killing herself change her mind. To this day we still talk and every once and awhile she still thanks me for not walking away in her time of need.
As a nurse, I held the hand of my alcoholic patient while he died with no family at his side. He breathed his last with me there.
As a nurse, after an unsuccessful attempt to bring a patient back from coding. I hugged his wife and cried with her.
As a nurse, I delivered three babies without a doctor! They are healthy, happy and whole.
As a nurse, I gave my anaphylactic patient a life saving medication. To this day when we see each other I always receive a smile and a hug.
As a nurse, when my pediatric patient lost his nerve to get a shot. I listened to his fears and walked him through the shot.
As a nurse, during COVID I worked 24/7 to help my company with our Covid positive employees navigate their quarantine.
I could continue this list for a while longer and that makes me smile. My years of service as “just a nurse” aren’t that. I’ve made a difference and nurses make a difference every day across the world.
For all of us “just nurses” out there. We are making a difference everyday and I am so proud to be a part of this community we share.
Steeley Grace 