At times I get frustrated with being a Nurse. I feel guilty admitting it, but it is simply the truth. People who are sick physically are many times ill in the spiritual and mental sense as well. It can be a hard and grueling reality to care for people experiencing such severe trials in their lives.
I have come to see people in their most vulnerable state. At times I can offer treatment and other times I can just offer a listening ear which is sometimes the best treatment they can have at the moment. A time where they can release their burdens, worries, and fears onto a third party. I as the RN step into their life for one moment but have learned that my impact will remain with them forever.
Today, I was running about town and found myself in downtown Nashville. I was approached by a woman that had been a past patient of mine. When I had taken care of her she was involved in IV drug use and was given the diagnosis that she was HIV +. I have learned to handle patients with diagnoses of life and death every day but she was dealing with this diagnosis for the first time. This is a disease that brings unimaginable fear and terror.
When she approached me today, she first asked, "Do you remember me?" Of course I did! How could I forget her? I embraced her and asked her how she was. She said to me, "Thank you for everything that you did." and as she said it, her eyes filled with tears. After a brief exchange I wished her well and we went our separate ways.
Today I was reminded of the great calling I have. I am honored to be a Registered Nurse.
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." -Mother Teresa
grace, i love hearing this. you have a way of jumping right into the heart of others, a rare and wonderful gift. keep using it. :) and, yay for your blog!
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