Nurses do an amazing job. Nevertheless, some people still look down on their profession. Often those people think that doctors are the only heroes in health care, while overlooking nurses and nursing assistants.
But the work of nurses is far from meaningless.
Nurse Caitlin Brassington ran into an acquaintance at the grocery store the other day. She had just finished a shift and was still dressed in her hospital scrubs. Her friend told her that she was surprised that Caitlin was “just a nurse.” And the word “just” hit Caitlin like a ton of bricks.
When she got home and had time to think it through, Caitlin decided to write her friend a response—through a post on Facebook.
Caitlin’s post has now received over 22,000 likes and 4,000 shares—and after reading it, I understand why. Scroll down to read Caitlin’s powerful message.
“‘Just a Nurse.’ I am just home from a busy shift, looking very ordinary in my scrubs. On the way home today I stopped at the shop for milk and saw an acquaintance. She has never seen me in uniform and said that she didn’t realise I was ‘just a nurse’. Wow! Over my 18 year career I have heard this phrase many, many time, but today it got to me. Am I just a nurse?
I have helped babies into the world, many of whom needed assistance to take their first breath, and yet I am just a nurse.
I have held patients hands and ensured their dignity while they take their last breath, and yet I am just a nurse.
I have counselled grieving parents after the loss of a child, and yet I am just a nurse.
I have performed CPR on patients and brought them back to life, and yet I am just a nurse.
I am the medical officers eyes, ears and hands with the ability to assess, treat and manage your illness, and yet I am just a nurse.
I can ascultate every lung field on a newborn and assess which field may have a decreased air entry, and yet I am just a nurse.
I can educate patients, carers, and junior nurses, and yet I am just a nurse.
I am my patients advocate in a health system that does not always put my patients best interest first, and yet I am just a nurse.
I will miss Christmas Days, my children’s birthdays, and school musicals to come to work to care for your loved one, and yet I am just a nurse.
I can take blood, cannulate and suture a wound, and yet I am just a nurse.
I can manage a cardiac arrest in a newborn, a child or an adult, and yet I am just a nurse.
I can tell you the dosage of adrenaline or amiodarone based on weight that your child may need to bring them back to life, and yet I am just a nurse.
I have the experience and knowledge that has saved people’s lives.
So, if I am just a nurse, then I am ridiculously proud to be one!”
Please share Caitlin’s powerful message to show your appreciation for nurses everywhere!
Published by Newsner, please like
