Salute to the Special Nurses

[Guest guest]

To me these days are the ones for recognizing the good, caring,

dedicated nurses-the nurses who make a difference in the lives of their

patients. We both know, like any profession, there are the good and the

bad. Unfortunately, they are lumped too often and treated the same in

their professional endeavors. It's somewhat like teachers, where the

good ones have a much harder job. They face stress, they worry about the

patients, they go the extra mile. Yet, often, they get nothing more in

recognition or financial benefits than the worst.

See, I know Beth was a great nurse. How do I know that? Well, its

pretty simple. You take away the pay, you take away the job and the

necessity, you even take away the physical strength. And, yet, she still

chooses to do what she can every day to moderate and help here.

I'm fortunate that most of my doctors have good nurses. My primary's

nurse gets back with you, is competent, and somehow when you go in is

always smiling. My neurologist's nurse is incredible. You call in need

and she'll make sure you're taken care of. She's also been with the

doctor so long they are in perfect synch. I had a pulmonologist

initially whose nurse was nothing but a roadblock. She didn't even read

the emails you sent her, she sent prescriptions to the wrong provider,

and she didn't get messages to the doctor. So, I appreciate the

pulmonologist staff where I go now. They all, doctors, nurses, and staff

are so incredibly friendly, helpful, and on top of their profession. My

rheumatologist's nurse is great and helps clear up confusion in

communication quite well.

I think of hospitals and the first nurse who comes to my mind is one 39

years ago when my mother was in the hospital for three months. Jane was

fantastic. Excellent in every way. Someone who didn't just treat but

brightened my mother's day. You think about how important just as human

contact nurses and aides become in extended stays. Jane was recognized

by all around as the best. May have been the only one not scared of my

mother's primary physician, because they had mutual respect. My mother

also decided Jane would make an excellent daughter in law.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. But I sure had no problem with the

idea as she was beautiful in addition to the other.

The first nurse I think of today is Lou's hospice nurse. I know

she's caring and she sees that Lou gets the care needed. While

Lou has more contact with than the nurse, you know that her

overall care does reflect a loving, caring, capable nurse.

There are three types of nurses. Unfortunately, type one is those who

were never in the profession for the right reasons. Type two then is

sad. Those are the ones who got into the profession for all the right

reasons, but along the way let the treatment they received, the stress

of the job, the lack of respect, the administrative tasks and all the

difficult factors take that love of nursing away and make them bitter or

angry or just too tired to do the job they originally sought to. Then

type three, these are the nurses who have persevered through all

challenges to continue each day to think of the patient first and

foremost. These are those who worry, who take the extra step, who stand

up for a patient with needs, who give a smile when its needed, who show

their love of people. These are the ones I salute today.

> >

> Yeah, once a nurse always a nurse, you cannot take it out of you.

> I cannot help but remember with gratefulness how kind some nurses have

been to me on several occasions, though I have met the other kind too, i

prefer to remember the good ones!

>

>

>

> Thank you Geeta. That is so very kind of you. I join in your salute

to all the nurses who are actually working in various settings all over

the world, caring for patients every day. It's a very difficult,

demanding job but one that is most satisfying.

> > I haven't worked in a clinical setting for years now but in certain

situations I find the years fall away and the instincts come back as

though I just worked a shift at the hospital yesterday!

> >

> > Beth

> > Moderator

> > Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: Geeta Vasudev gita1_v@

> > To: breathe-support

> > Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2009 12:02:13 AM

> > Subject: International Nurses day---MB

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Dear Beth,

> > Many best wishes to you on this day!

> > Let us salute all the nurses in the world and those on baord and you

in particular this day.

> > Yours is one of the noblest of professions and you render such

yeoman's service to man kind which is matchless

> > You have consistently revealed your compassion, patience, hardworkig

nature , all the hallmarks of good nurse.We are indeed proud to have you

as our mderator and cherish your knowledge , help and guidance

> > May your tribe increase!

> > love

> > Geeta

> > PS I may be a day early for you but for us in India it is alredy 12

May

> >

>