a nurse's poem-I'm Sorry In Advance

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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.

Linda Leeson

Licensed Practical Nurse

Vernon Jubilee Hospital

Vernon, British Columbia Canada

Linda,

Beautifully written!!!As was said previously, I got chills when I read your peom. Unfortunately, some of those very words I've said myself.

Thank you for a great poem, I copied it to the LPN Yahoo Club I hope you don't mind. This poem reminded me of my nights I worked in LTC, brought back many memories. Thanks again.

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Lisa

Ditto to everyone's response. Bravo, Linda!

Originally posted by lkushen:

Ditto to everyone's response. Bravo, Linda!

all i could add would be "AWESOME"!!!

Excellent poem-it captures the essence of nursing today (unfortunately) I have a presentation to do on issues facing the profession, and I think this poem will be a perfect intro to the presentation. It neatly summarizes all of the major issues we're facing staffing, working conditions etc.

Thank you for sharing!!!

PS I'll be sure to give you the credit as being the author!

Specializes in CV-ICU.

I e-mailed Linda and asked for permission to copy this poem; this was her response:

Hi Jenny. I must say I'm a little overwhelmed by the response. I had a feeling when I finished the poem it had something "else". Of course you may publish it. I

checked with Canadian copyright laws and it states when an individual creates an original work, it is automatically protected by copyright. The response at my

hospital was good, with the exception of our "clinical programmer" who said I needed to work on the rhyming.I read the poem to my sister and she got weepy eyed!

She's not a nurse, but a physiotherapist!. Anyway I'm glad a lot of people are enjoying it. That's why sharing it is so rewarding.The power of words! Bye, Linda

Just thought I'd share her response in case anyone else was interested in copying it for work, newspapers, etc.

Once again, thank you, Linda, for sharing this with all of us.

Im glad someone is able to put into words the way I have felt every day since I became a nurse.

Your poem really hits home. I'm going to share it with my co-workers.

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