A nurses poem- for those who haven't read it yet

Nurses Safety

Published

I wrote this a couple of months ago, after a typically bad day -

I'm Sorry In Advance

I'm sorry in advance

Your bed's not made today

But I have a patient here

Whose chest pain won't go away

I'm sorry in advance

You're not happy with your meal

Dietary does try hard sir,

To give it some appeal

I'm sorry in advance

Your morning pills are late

I've a patient climbing out of bed

That I must try to sedate

I'm sorry in advance

Your mattress isn't soft

We do need some new beds ma'am

But these things do cost a lot.

I'm sorry in advance

I didn't get to comb your mother's hair

I've a patient with emphysema

She's scared, she can't get air

I'm sorry in advance

Your fathers still in pain

I'm trying to reach his doctor

I'll have to try again

I'm sorry in advance

Your dressings aren't yet done

But a patient has just passed away,

I offered solace to his son,

I'm sorry in advance

I'm not cheery as a bird

I've worked 12 hours, my feet ache

I asked for help, but no one heard

I'm sorry in advance

I've only two hands and two feet

I'm trying to care for you, patient

Your needs, I want to meet

My 12 hours now are 16,

No replacement could be found

My aching feet they cry out

My head begins to pound

I'm sorry in advance

I cannot meet your gaze

My eyes are filled with tears

Your face is just a haze

If I could sit down for a minute

And maybe grab a bite

Phone my kids to say I love them

And I'll be late again tonight

I'm sorry in advance

I didn't do all that must be done

If I worked any faster

I'd soon begin to run

When I do get to hold your hand

Or wipe your furrowed brow

Please understand, dear patient

I care for you and how

I see your pain, I sense your fear

Your anger in a glance,

Our health care service is failing you

I'm sorry in advance.

Written By

Linda Leeson

Licensed Practical Nurse

Vernon Jubilee Hospital

Vernon. B.C. Canada

[email protected]

I love your poem and so does your Swedish colleagues!

I plast it in our coffeeroom and we can feel the same emotions as you do!

Mussa Selim

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Awwwwww leeson........what a beautiful poem you wrote! :kiss

I'd be willing to bet that nurses probably have more poetry within them than gets recognized. I hope you share your gift with others and don't keep it to yourself. (That is a lesson for me too, because I also write poetry and am guilty of not sharing most of what I write.) :)

Your poem is beautiful and so true! I copied and posted at my break area also. You need to publish it. Thanks.

Great poem. I posted it on my website for nurses to read.

You have a glorious gift of care!!! It comes through in your poem that you are truly there. There are so many nurses like you, that time tries to beat. Your patient's must adore you and I'm sorry about your feet!!! Great Poem!!! Very insightful and caring!!!

Specializes in Mostly LTC, some acute and some ER,.

I can so relate! I love your poem. You should post it on every website for nursing.

Specializes in ICU.

Excellent poem well written and thoughtful and yes you should see about publishing it.

I did not think it was possible to put my feelings into words but somehow you did it. I think your poem speeks for most of us I wish it could be published in newspapers world wide so the public could know how we feel.

Specializes in MSICU and CCU.

Pretty much sums up my day at work!

Specializes in MSICU and CCU.

Pretty much sums up my day at work! Minus the phone call to the kids, since I dont have any. ;)

Specializes in ER!.

I'm speechless... what an eloquent expression of the frustrations that are such a part of nursing today.

You truly have a gift, and it would be a shame to see this go unpublished.

This is beautiful...you made me cry..and I'd like to thank you!Oh how many times have each of us felt this way and could never put it into words.

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