“It’s just the nurse”
A statement I’ve heard more times than I can recall.
A statement I vacillate between being utterly pissed off at; given some people take for granted what we do, take for granted how consistently we are the ones by their side and not seen - and a statement I’m also sometimes not offended at, pausing as I consider how perhaps we’re simply seen as a circle of trust.
Just the nurse who caught the baby’s heart murmur
Just the nurse who listened when everyone else walked out the door
Just the nurse who carefully cleaned parts of you when others shouted what’s that horrible smell in that room.
Just the nurse who had to call your annoyed provider 5 times just for them to come talk to you and answer your questions
Just the nurse who threw their back out from years and years of physical exertion with turning and positioning.
Just the nurse who contributes daily to interdisciplinary rounds, to discussions surrounding your care for the day
Just the nurse who advocates for quality of life discussions
Just the nurse who helped the baby docs when they were med students, when they were residents, when they were scared.
Just the nurse who continues to advocate and work collaboratively with your doctor so you get the kind of care our system so ardently resists.
Just the nurse who teaches the new mama how to hold, nurse and bathe their baby
Just the nurse who cared for you over and over, day after day, admission after admission for 12 hour shifts and made you their world
Just the nurse who fights hard for safe staffing ratios so you get the quality of care you deserve.
Just the nurse who stands their ground and tosses out anyone who interferes with your healing or recovery time.
Just the nurse who prayed for you when science no longer had any answers
Just the nurse who cares for you as you take your last breath
Just the nurse who comforts your family when they have nowhere to go with their grief.
Just the nurse who gently wraps you in a shroud and pauses quietly to keep you in their own memory and heart
Just the nurse who doesn’t demand you respect us, rather quietly asks that you don’t insult our presence.
Just the nurse, the highly educated bachelors, masters, and doctorate level prepared, certified nurses who worked hard to attain the scientific and evidence practice based knowledge that will help save your life.
Just the nurse who isn’t perfect, but works every day to learn more and perfect their care.
Just the nurse who goes home and cries for you.
Every other day, Every other week may in everyone’s eyes be about every other provider, but let today, let this week not be an insult; let it just simply be about the nurse.
Happy National Nurses Day,
Happy National Nurses week -
To “just” the nurses.
