25 Gifts of Nursing

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Found at PSNA Smart Brief:

December 24, 2015

25 Gifts of Nursing

1 * Gift of Nursing: We got the call – they were going to have to do a C-section. We had been with my daughter just 18 hours prior. She had received the steroids; contractions had stopped and minimal amniotic fluid was leaking out. She didn't have a fever and she was going to stay on hospital bedrest. Now I stood frozen because we were two hours away as I thought, She's only at 26 weeks gestation.” My husband and I hopped into the car and by the time we had arrived at the hospital, the delivery was over. My daughter was physically OK. Her identical twin boys, each 2 lbs, were in the NICU, intubated and critical. For the next 14 weeks, I observed the wonders of neonatal care and the grace of God. The nurses were supportive, loving and intelligent, often making clinical decisions by the minute. While our time in the NICU was not without its challenges, it was overwhelmingly apparent that we had invaluable, brilliant nursing care. As an RN, I am proud of my nurse colleagues!

2 * Gifts of Nursing: I am inspired by the advancement of nursing science that is taking place in the profession today. There are now so many ways that nurses can learn and be educated. This advancement in nursing science has motivated me to be more technologically savvy and up-to-date within the profession. The advancement of health information technology in the nursing profession is also a motivating factor in nursing education.

3 * Gifts of Nursing: My husband and I built a personal care home on our farm where we employed LPNs, aides, and RNs. During the last six years of our ownership, the health occupational students from our local vocational school came to our facility weekly to interact with our clients – it was their first exposure to a health-related environment. A high percentage of these students advanced to careers in the health field and many became RNs. During the 21 years of ownership, I encouraged my staff to continue their education. We considered our staff as part of our family. One child of a long-time employee who grew up” in and around the facility is currently a nursing student. I take great satisfaction in mentoring these gifted individuals. I still have contact with several of them and encourage participation in PSNA/ANA.

4 * Gifts of Nursing: My husband and I have volunteered at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for more than six years. My husband was a civilian volunteer vascular surgeon with the Combat Casualty Program and I was a civilian volunteer consultant to the Department of Nursing (I had also volunteered with the chaplains in what was then called the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center projects). Working with the nurses and staff at LRMC, as well as with ill and wounded troops transported from Afghanistan and Iraq, was quite an experience. We were surrounded by extraordinary people, who defined excellence in their daily lives as they worked together. I am so honored to be included in this project.

5 * Gifts of Nursing: After a few years as a pharmaceutical major, I realized that I didn't enjoy the quiet, independent environment. While I enjoyed critical thinking, something important was missing. I deduced that I had no idea who was benefiting from my work. In my eyes, the patient was the most important aspect of my work. I thought about what I wanted in a career: science and a desire to work as a team to solve issues. Nursing was for me! ....

See the remaining 20 gifts: PSNA

26. * Gifts of Nursing: Ever so grateful to the ER nurse at Delaware County, PA's Taylor Hospital who successfully coded my brother July 2014 when he went into anaphylactic shock from IV Vancomycin (which he had several times previously without reaction) + started immediate cooling; the ICU RN's who worked tirelessly titrating drips for the difficult to control rapid a-fib + finally able to wean him after a month --and the telemetry RN's who graciously care for his crusty self on numerous subsequent re-hospitalizations. He has lived to see his oldest son get married along with the birth of son's daughter Nov. 2015 -- a precious gift.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

27. To the nurses who cared for my then 2.5 y/o grand daughter who had emergent brain surgery as a result of a Chiari malformation. They took care of her but they also cared for us - her family.

Now as we face another brain surgery this week, we rest easy knowing the nurses in the PICU will again care for our precious little one as well as her family.