Just a Nurse | Life of a Nurse

Reflections of a day in the life of a nurse, through her eyes... Nurses Announcements Archive

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Specializes in physical rehab.

As I am approached by an angry family member of a patient that has been getting increasingly worse, they shout at me to which I reply...

"I am just the nurse."

After my shift, as I make my way home, I reflected on my response and what I meant in that statement "I am just the nurse...." What exactly did that mean? As a looked back on the major accomplishment of my life, I realized that the response I gave, although only a few words, was worth more than anything I could explain.

"Just the nurse" meant that I had mastered the art of assessment and deliberation. Mastered prioritization and communication skills. I had spent more of my recent life with strangers who ended up closer than a family than I had spent with my actual family. I have spent countless hours filling my brain with information that I could only pray to remember the next day once the test began. I had tried on dozens of scrub uniforms until I finally found the perfect brand. And let's not forget about the walking, I have put more miles on my work shoes that most cars are able to reach. I have held more hands and offered more comfort than one person could possibly be capable of. I have dealt with more unexpected outcomes than any individual should be able to adapt to. I have answered more medical questions for my family members and friends than I care to discuss. Yet, here I am. Head held high knowing the power that I possessed to change the trajectory of a life by "just being a nurse."

As a nurse, we have the power to hold hands and comfort souls while we wipe the tears away. We have the power to offer protection and be the defenders for our patients and families. We help comfort in the midst of pain and spread courage in the face of fear. We are able to be an advocate for those who are unable to advocate for themselves. We give hope when all hope is lost. We offer a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear in the middle of the night. We pour our soul out to others for long shifts, yet wake up and give more the next day. We are healers of not just the physical but the spiritual.

Being "just a nurse" is more than a job choice. It extends beyond a profession. Being a nurse consumes your soul and radiates from within. It is our calling, our destiny. As a nurse, we are proud of the person whom we have grown to become, shaped by what our eyes have seen. We are every-changing in our outlook on life as each day is a precious gift that we see taken far too soon and far too often. It is an understanding that each day will be different and that every day is a chance to touch a life, a life that may have been lost if it were not for you. Once you are a nurse, you soon understand your path of life that is destined for you. You become a visionary not only for yourself, but for those lives that are touched and inspired by you. You become someone's cheerleader in the worst moments of their life, and their biggest fan when success has been achieved. As a nurse, you understand that you are more powerful than most superheroes on the television on any given day.

Because being "Just a Nurse" is simply understanding that not all superheroes wear capes, some wear scrubs and stethoscopes......

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A “nurse” is no different than a “plumber” or an “electrician”. No need to church it up, customer service always has an escalation...

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"Ok, I hear what you are saying, I am an RN, How can I help you?"

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Specializes in PCU.

To secretperson, “church it up”? Hope you don’t feel this way when your loved ones are being cared for by nurses. How cynical. An electrician and a plumber are extremely important in their own ways but they are not the same as nurses, who are also important in their own ways. Gees....

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41 minutes ago, Dukediesel said:

To secretperson, “church it up”? Hope you don’t feel this way when your loved ones are being cared for by nurses. How cynical. An electrician and a plumber are extremely important in their own ways but they are not the same as nurses, who are also important in their own ways. Gees....

My expectations are for the clinical staff to do their job just like a trade. being a nurse has an inherent job requirement of showing empathy. Whether organic or fake. If you are a nurse you know how this works, smile and on to the next one.

its business

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Specializes in PCU.

“Smile and on to the next one.” Hmmm. Every job is a trade. We learn skills for a particular position and then carry them out accordingly. But empathy isn’t one of them. Innate human feelings is something we either choose or choose not to show and with nurses, hopefully they will choose to show. It isn’t a trade or something trained to do. Genuinely smile and move on to another patient with a genuine smile. You can have a trade taking care of people but not be robotic. Your expectations are low.

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38 minutes ago, Dukediesel said:

“Smile and on to the next one.” Hmmm. Every job is a trade. We learn skills for a particular position and then carry them out accordingly. But empathy isn’t one of them. Innate human feelings is something we either choose or choose not to show and with nurses, hopefully they will choose to show. It isn’t a trade or something trained to do. Genuinely smile and move on to another patient with a genuine smile. You can have a trade taking care of people but not be robotic. Your expectations are low.

My expectations are realistic, i use empathy with my expectations. I want a good nurse not an emotional wreck.

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1 hour ago, Secretperson said:

My expectations are realistic, i use empathy with my expectations. I want a good nurse not an emotional wreck.

I must be alone in agreeing with you on everything you’ve said thus far.
personally my coworkers who tear up and cry every time a patient gets a hug a cringey and insufferable.

At the end of the day this is a job. We wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t getting a paycheck. Some may try to stick it out but in the end emotions, compassion, and passion doesn’t pay the bills or put food on the table.

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Specializes in BSN, RN, CVRN-BC.

Please do not feed the trolls by responding to them. They wither and disappear if just ignored.

I can fix a lot of things, but for some things I have to refer patients and their family to the manufacturer. We make not warrantee to result or cure. If you want a warranty talk to the manufacturer. Yes, we do everything humanly possible to make this test safe and we will take good care of you today. You want a guaranty that nothing will go wrong during your test? Ask the manufacturer. I am your nurse and there is a lot I can do, but I am not God.

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Specializes in Retired.

Just erase the phrase "Just a nurse" from one's vocabulary. I don't know how many nurses are content practice on a trade level but it wouldn't be enough for me.

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1 hour ago, Undercat said:

Just erase the phrase "Just a nurse" from one's vocabulary. I don't know how many nurses are content practice on a trade level but it wouldn't be enough for me.

Trade level?

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4 hours ago, Robmoo said:

Please do not feed the trolls by responding to them. They wither and disappear if just ignored.

I can fix a lot of things, but for some things I have to refer patients and their family to the manufacturer. We make not warrantee to result or cure. If you want a warranty talk to the manufacturer. Yes, we do everything humanly possible to make this test safe and we will take good care of you today. You want a guaranty that nothing will go wrong during your test? Ask the manufacturer. I am your nurse and there is a lot I can do, but I am not God.

Who are you calling a troll? This is an opinion, calm down .

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