You’ve been searching for a moment like this.
The dots connected.
The answer was yours.
You said the right thing.
You made a difference.
You are enough.
In this moment it all feels worth it.
Stop.
I know you’re busy.
I know you have a million things you need to be doing right now but STOP.
I want you to close your eyes and breathe in this moment.
Remember this.
Feel this feeling.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Remember.
This sweet moment will carry you through a thousand bitter ones.
When the cancer comes back.
When we made a mistake.
When we can’t find the heartbeat.
When we’ve done all we can do.
When you want to quit.
This profession will rip your heart right out of your chest and spit on it.
So remember this.
This sweet moment will carry you through a thousand bitter ones.
This is why we do what we do.
Take a second.
Close your eyes.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
And go help the next patient.
Until you are the patient, nurses don’t understand just how much their skill and loving care means to patients and their families. Yes, you are human and you don’t have all the answers, but your attitude counts for so much in those times. Your ability to be empathetic and show that you care, especially when things go sideways, is so very important to those of us depending on your care! Celebrate with us, cry with us…we need to know your heart is in what you do. That hand on the shoulder, that hug, says so much. I’ve been caring for my 98 year old father for 4 years now and he has been on hospice since August, so I depend on his RN and CNA for so much…and their hugs are magical!!
This applies not only to nurses but to ANY profession where you interact with the public. Sometimes, it is just a moment of caring that makes a huge difference in someones life.