this was going around and i thought i would share it with all of you here!
You're a nurse?? That's cool, I wanted to do that when I was a kid. What do you make?" "WHAT DO I MAKE??" I make holding your hand seem like the most important thing in the world when you're scared. I can make your child breathe when they stop. I can help your father survive a heart attack. I make myself get out of bed at 5am to make sure your mother has the medicine she needs to live. I work all day to save the lives of strangers. I make my family wait for dinner until I know your family member is taken care of. I make myself skip lunch so that I can make sure that everything I did for your husband today is charted. I make myself work weekends and holidays because people don't just get sick monday thru friday. Today, I might save your life. I make a difference, what do you make?"
See, I am one that really does not like this. I am not one to ever push my Catholic faith on anyone but personally I do not ever save someones life, God does. Whatever you believe I respect but I have seen the most stable patients code and there is nothing anyone can do to bring them back, likewise I have seen a patient come in to the ICU dead as a doornail and cold and bounce right back. I belive in God and I believe I do not have that kind of power.
I am a nurse, I quietly do my job in a humble manner taking care of others. I take care of others to make them feel good, not to make me feel good. My goal is to help you on your journey to wellness, even if being well means dying with as little pain as possible. I love science and the miracle that is the human body. I have seen human beings that if life were fair they would be free from this life and I sit vigil caring for the soul God has not decided to take yet, and sometimes I come home and cry but I respect that and I am there the next day.
That is why I do not like that post. I just feel the nurses I know are more humble and do not feel they have "power" to bring people back to life. I wish I could, and I wish it worked everytime. Right when I think I am this amazing life saver, God puts me in my place...
You are sooo right, a human being can not heal, only God can. I love how God works through doctors and nurses to help patients with what we were trained to do, but only God performs the miracle of healing:nurse:
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
It's a poem..........just a poem that emphasizes the we are more than a PEZ dispencer. GOD gave me a brain and in that brain, body and soul a passion to help others...and I'm good at it. I agree the "I can make you baby breathe" is a bit strong. But it's a poem....that is all. Peace
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
That makes three times that this exact same thing has been posted on this site. And, it's just as saccharine as ever, I might add. Sorry -- I know opinions vary and some people love this quote -- I just don't happen to be one of them!
I read it and thought, "J&J should get hold of this. This dreck is straight up their alley." Then you beat me to the punch!
You're a nurse?? That's cool, I wanted to do that when I was a kid. What do you make?" "WHAT DO I MAKE??"
What do I make? Not enough for all of the nonsense I have to swallow every shift and since the person is asking they obviously feel like I'm overpaid for what I do. Did they ask the MD what they make, the PT/OT...SLP...nutritionist? etc of course not. The general population thinks a nurse is a pill passing waitress and it boggles the mind that we aren't like nuns who work for free out of pure love for humankind (which btw generally has no love or concern for nurses).
I can't stand the sappy nursing stuff that's crammed down our throats on a daily basis. Because I care I'm supposed to sacrifice my physical health, mental/emotional well being, and any hope of ever having a minimum of financial security because I'm such a good person and I care about you more than you likely care about yourself. I look for my self-esteem and validation off the job because I sure as hell don't get it on the job. Nursing will use you up, spit you out, and replace you five seconds after you run away screaming or get your walking papers. I do my best...I really do but the reality of nursing is that they use sentimental manipulative psychological crap like this to keep us working like dogs for peanuts.
Last shift had a PGY1 tell me that if a patient gave me any additional information after I asked them "my little questions" to please let him know. Also please go to the news section and read about the RN who was fired before she could even start the job because an MD knew her from a previous job and said he wouldn't come on board if she was hired. Also read the news article about the NYSNA nurses who want to strike and the comment section in the article will give you a clue about what the general population thinks of nurses.
I understand the need to feel good about what we do. It's important and worthwhile work. But, (you knew there was a "but" coming, didn't you ?) the impression of the poem is one of moral superiority, lecturing and professional snobbishness. Honestly, are we really any more righteous than other professions? Are we better than plumbers, electricians, cashiers, farmers? Are we superior to the garbage man or truck driver? Is our profession so much more needed than police or fire fighters or military? How many of us would trade places with the person thirty feet above the ground roofing a house when it's 90 degrees or that minimum wage laborer digging a trench when it's cold and raining? There are thousands of jobs that are taxing and strenuous. Many of these don't provide the "feel good, warm fuzzies" that nursing projects or the compensation (monetarily or status), yet our world would crash and burn without them.
It's OK to have pride in our work when talking about what we do. Just don't be looking down your nose when you do it.
I am one of those who strongly dislike this poem or quote, whatever it is. Pure drama.
I'm with you....this just makes me gag.................and yes, it has been posted 3 times recently, it's currently living alive and well under the title of "What do I make"...you can find it there as well...
Not enough for all of the nonsense I have to swallow every shift and since the person is asking they obviously feel like I'm overpaid for what I do. Did they ask the MD what they make, the PT/OT...SLP...nutritionist? etc of course not. The general population thinks a nurse is a pill passing waitress and it boggles the mind that we aren't like nuns who work for free out of pure love for humankind (which btw generally has no love or concern for nurses).
sweetnurse63, BSN, RN
202 Posts
You are sooo right, a human being can not heal, only God can. I love how God works through doctors and nurses to help patients with what we were trained to do, but only God performs the miracle of healing:nurse: