Something I wrote a long time ago.....True story....

[mother/babyRN, RN]

i was fortunate to win an honorable mention in an essay contest in childbirth instruction magazine, in 1998...thought i would share it and see if it elicits any like or similar true stories with all of you....i love to hear your heart felt nursing experiences.....

sadly she said, "you can't know how i feel," and sunk down into her chair as far as she could possibly recoil from me, her nurse. alone, abandoned, and in labor, she had every reason to shut me out. i recognized the resigned edge to her voice. i had been there myself.

silence overwhelmed us. genly i approached and took her right hand in mine. she flinched, but didn't remove it. exasperated, she rolled her magnificent green eyes and snapped, " you can't help me so do whatever you're here to do and get the hell out!" i heard myself say i knew exactly how she felt. curious at the conviction in my voice, she snuck a peek, relaxing ever so slightly in a silent bid to continue....so i shared my own story of unexpected pregnancy and abandonment, but coupled it with assurance that she needn't give up hope and might possibly, in time, even feel joy.

the shift flew by...soon, dissolved in tears, she accepted my hug. renewed hope in a successful future or herself and her child, along with memories from my past merged in a poignant moment of nurse-patient connection...something i will never forget and perhaps, something she may not ever recall...

yet, even if only briefly comforted, my young patient was able to connect with someone who genuinely understood, enabling her to rediscover her own strength..

why am i a childbirth educator? the answers are as varied as the patients we serve..teaching is important, certainly, but sometimes the most precious moments are those beyond routine intervention. every day i somehow manage to touch the hearts and thus, the people i care for, which enriches me in ways i cannot begin to adequately convey...quite frankly, i am the lucky one.....

written by martha crowninshield o'brien rn

april 1989

* this patient came back 5 or 6 years later to tell me she was going to graduate from nursing school....she is now a rn, happily married.......me too! :)

[Noney]

You are awesome. Can I ask what prompted you into getting these pieces out now? I'm really enjoying them.

Noney

[SmilingBluEyes]

wonderful. you are inspirational and obviously touch those you care with on a meaninful level. way to go.

[mother/babyRN, RN]

Sure.....I have been encouraged to publish for many years and because I am fortunate to just "think" the way I write, I guess I never seriously considered it, until several of my pieces were picked up for publication because friends sent them in...I really am interested in what my peers think of the things I write...Your opinions truly do count....I don't consider myself a wonderful grammar oriented person, but I have been fortunate to have been blessed with an ability to allow others "feel" the words...All your opinions, even the ones which may not agree or ever like my works, are important, especially when submitting for serious publication......I have a book half written that needs to be finished...I think it is just time for me to do something with the pieces I have, and hope none of you mind my running them by you....Please feel free to honestly critique what I might put out here.....I will put some more out if any of you are interested in reading them.....And thanks so much for taking the time....

[katscan]

I love reading your works. Your love for others shows through all you write. Some of your poems made me mist up here at school...You seem to be a wonderful person . Lucky are those who know you personally

[Noney]

You have some wonderful friends don't you?

Keep posting I'll read em.

Noney

[mother/babyRN, RN]

I will continue to post as long as you guys want to read them.....And, if you continue to like them, I promise to submit them all! YOU"RE my friends too! So, your opinions count.....I am just able to express what most people have been through.....