Had someone tell me today....

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

I received this via PM at another forum:

I just returned Monday evening from another stay in hospital, making a total of 14 days in three weeks, and I just wanted to tell you how greatly I respect and admire the nursing profession and your decision to make it your own. Houston is a very cosmopolitan city, and there were at least 12 diferent nationalities represented among the various nurses and techs who took care of me, but although their individual personalities varied considerably each and every one shared the identical culture of devotion to providing the patient with the very best comfort, care, attention, thoughtfulness and kindness they could provide. And this with total disregard to how difficult a patient might be to deal with, or the patient's position in life.

During my last stay my roomate was an elderly, half demented homeless male - obviously a charity case - who was in very poor shape physically, suffering intermittently from delusions, and had for some substantial period of time clearly been averse to any attempt at personal hygiene. He was treated with the same respect, cheerful attention and care as I was, and although he was extremely difficult and physically unpleasant to deal with I never heard a harsh word spoken or a voice raised in frustration or a tone of disgust on the part of any of his nurses.

I came home with the indeligible conviction that nursing is one of the highest and most honorable callings and one of the most overworked, least appreciated (until one is actually placed in its care) and unfairly compensated in our entire social structure. My hat is off to you!

Sincere regards, XXXXXXX

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Nice letter Roy, thanks for sharing. :)

[Beary-nice]

Thanks for sharing that Roy. That is one of the nicest things I have seen in a while. :)

[nightingale, RN]

Nice, thanks Roy...

[imenid37]

That 's very nice. Congrats also on your recent graduation!:balloons:

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Thanks, Roy. Over the years, it's encouragement from wonderful patients like that, that kept me going in this business. :)

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Thanks y'all.

Here's another PM I recieved.

The examples of your experiences confirmed my conviction, as I told my nurses during my last stay in hospital, that you all are truly Angels of Mercy. If Saint Peter does'nt open wide the gates for you all, there is certainly no hope for the likes of me! Although I've seen a bit of physical suffering and gone through a few rough times, my experiences, although tough to take, were only brief and sporadic. But you and your colleagues have to deal with a sea of troubles on a daily basis, and all the while maintain an optimistic, cheerful attitude and countenance, even though your heart may be aching internally. I think you're remarkable, and God bless you all.

BTW I did send a bouquet last week to my last nurses' station. I''m not sure that was entirely appropriate, as about half the folks who cared for me were male, but I suspect about everyone enjoys flowers.

He's a nice man though :)

cheers,

[chadash]

Wow, this is great.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Wow, this is great.

We read a lot of the bad stuff regularly.

Just thought I'd share some of the good stuff :)

'Tis all.

[HARRN2b]

I love to read the good stuff. Thank you!

[WOLFE, BSN, RN]

Thanxx....that is what keeps us going!!!!!!!!!!!11

[weetziebat]

Wow! Roy, those letters were beautiful. Truly things like that keep us going and makes me remember how proud we should be to be nurses. Although we may moan, groan, b*tch, gripe and complain about the profession, it is indeed a noble one, and your friend got to see us at our best.

Kudos to all the nurses in Houston! and I'm certain all the nurses enjoyed the flowers. So thoughtful when a patient is kind enough to do something like that.

And thanks to you for sharing. Warms my heart.