Its whats in your heart that makes you a great nurse. This article was published in Nurszine. 17 Published Feb 21 How do you want me to remember you? Hi members of allnurses my name is Julia and the story I am about to tell you is true. Over 30 years ago I was hit by a car and pronounced dead shortly afterwards at a hospital I was taken to by an ambulance. The miracle is that I came back to life a few minutes later. I was given a second chance at life, but the road was a tough one for me. The memories I have of the following months I was in traction has to do with the men and women who provided nursing care to me. My first memory was a female nurse who came over to me as soon as I opened my eyes in intensive care and she looked like an Angel. Her delicate hands started taking the sticks and dirt from my hair and told me lets make you look pretty again and we will start by washing your hair. These few words made me feel human again. My mind and body were in shock, I was hooked up to machines, tubes, you name it I was hooked up to it. She proceeded to delicately clean me from head to toe. I was so afraid, I did not realize the extent of my injuries BUT, I WILL NEVER FORGET the nurses compassion in seeing how scared I was. Then there was a nurse who refused to clean my private area a day later because I had gotten my period? She turned to another nurse and said IM NOT GOING TO DO THAT! and walked away from me. Please let me remind you I was in traction and was immobile. I was NOT comfortable letting anyone clean me but had no choice. I bled all over myself until my cousin came and helped with that. I was transferred to a hospital closer to my home and those nurses were pretty much the same. Some I will NEVER FORGET while others I was glad to. Im only human and want to be treated as such. Remember that people are scared to be in hospitals and what you do and how you treat them will remain with them for the rest of their life! My most memorable experience was when a nurse stayed overnight with me because I started to have flash backs and was terrified because I did not know what was happening to me. This woman clocked out and stayed with me overnight making sure I slept and each time I awoke in panic she was there to immediately calm me down. The compassion inside you saves lives. Always remember why you chose this field and never lose sight of it. Once you just think of it as a nine to five job the patient feels it. The patient could be you, your child, your mother, your father, your brother or sister~ just because you might have heard it all before, or have seen it all before does not make it less dramatic for the patient who is experiencing it for the first time. Im NOT saying to spend the night with patients, or go above and beyond, but MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PATIENT WONT EVER FORGET YOU. Kindness and compassion goes a long way for patients young and old. Trust me your schooling will teach you everything you need to learn to become an excellent nurse BUT what lies in your heart will make the difference for a patient and YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED FONDLY. Maintain your quest in healthcare education and retain your knowledge in human relations. Excellence and heart breads heroes in the minds of all people. When dealing with difficult patients, refer to what you have been taught in school, learn through your experience, but never look at any two patients as if they are the same because they are not and never will be. An important fact I would like to say is, when you walk out of a patients room DO NOT TALK ABOUT THEM to anyone unless you are in a private room. Voices carry and your conduct is very unprofessional! Being a patient in the hospital for 3 months allowed for me to see it all (at least in the orthopedic ward that is.) Thank you for reading this~it was my pleasure to have shared a time in my life that I WILL NEVER FORGET. Sincerely, Julia L.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Feb 2014 15:06:10 +0000
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