More realistic alternative to sentimental "Nurse's Creed?"

[rn/writer]

In another thread, there was mention of a, "Nurse's Creed." We weren't sure what the poster was referring to, but someone did find the following:

"A Nurse's Creed"

Sometimes I forget…why I'm a Nurse and what's really in my HEART.

Sometimes I'm just too busy I don't know where to start.

Then someone holds my hand, and greets me with a smile.

They ask if I could stay with them for just a little while.

If I could calm a sorrowed heart just because I'm there.

Then I'm reminded...why I'm a Nurse. It's all because I CARE."

That one's okay , but it's a tad sentimental for my taste. I put together what I consider a more realistic alternative for today's nurse:

The Balanced Nurse's Creed

For some folks nursing is their life; they see it as a calling,

They've dreamt of Flo and her lighted lamp since back when they were crawling.

I care about my patients and I'm thankful for employment,

But my family, friends, and other interests also bring enjoyment,

When I'm at work my patients get the best I have to give,

When off the job I give my best to those with whom I live,

There's a finite number of hours each day to exercise my talents,

I'd burn out pretty quickly if I didn't look for balance,

If I call the shots correctly, when my working days are done,

Both my patients and my loved ones will tell me, “Job well done!”

[rn/writer, RN]

Submit it where?

with a fine concoction of molasses and milk (= sappy;)).

Hmmm. Didn't milk and molasses used to be the recipe for one kind of enema? That's appropriate.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

Love it, rn/writer! I see why you have that username. :)

[GM2RN]

Very well done!

I've also seen a couple of members mention an "oath" as though there is some nurses' equivalent to the Hippocratic Oath that is taken during a swearing in ceremony. I don't know about everyone else, but I've never heard of anything like that, and my graduating class had no swearing in ceremony.

[demylenated, BSN, RN]

Very well done!

I've also seen a couple of members mention an "oath" as though there is some nurses' equivalent to the Hippocratic Oath that is taken during a swearing in ceremony. I don't know about everyone else, but I've never heard of anything like that, and my graduating class had no swearing in ceremony.

Interesting... we had to swear to The "Nightingale Pledge". Every class I have graduated from has...

"I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician, in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."

[GM2RN]

Interesting... we had to swear to The "Nightingale Pledge". Every class I have graduated from has...

"I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician, in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."

Maybe it's regional, or something like that.

[leslie :-D]

Submit it where?

check into:

http://www.americannursetoday.com/article.aspx?id=6228&fid=6182

http://www.nursefriendly.com (appears as a extremely casual site, it has been around for many years.)

http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/56

leslie

[nola1202]

The Florence Nightingale Pledge

I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.

Purity....uh oh!

[demylenated, BSN, RN]

Interesting... we had to swear to The "Nightingale Pledge". Every class I have graduated from has...

"I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician, in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."

Purity....uh oh!

HA! I thought that as I read it... I *coughed* during that word. LOL

Purity has so many meanings and translations. I didn't want to be tied down to one word.

[nola1202]

How about this:

You will work hard, your job will suck.

Not all the time, but enough.

Can't go part-time, gotta pay the bills.

Student loan-

By the time it's paid off, You'll be over the hill.

Politics: didn't teach that in school.

Don't tick off her, be careful of them, shhh quiet, you'll get fired like him.

It's your day off, can you come in?

But the guy you fired was my friend!

Work hard, save your bucks

So when you're laid off

you won't give a f#$k!

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

"I open my bleary eyes and smack the alarm clock,

I don't want to be late; for my pay they will surely dock.

I shuffle into the shower while waving hello the the moon,

I better eat breakfast, 'cause lunch will be well past noon.

I walk in to the unit and see a big smile from my peer

I ask, "why so happy?" She replies, "Tonight is $1.00 Pitcher Beer!"

I get ready for my first case of the day,

And begin coordinating our surgical ballet.

I greet my patient with a smile,

He tells me his belly is full of bile.

On the surgical table we begin,

To pass the gas that will make his head spin.

Off to la-la land he goes,

Nary a word of his descriptive woes.

"Knife, lap, trocar, stitch!" commands the doc,

He has to lecture at two o'clock.

Time to get the gallbladder out,

All the while, I am dreaming of that Stout.

An hour later as I am still standing there,

The resident teaches the student with care.

I finally shout, "Can we finally work on closing skin?!?",

Seriously, y'all! How long has it been?"

Suture, cut, suture, cut, now time for the dressing,

It seems that we are finally progressing!

My pt wakes up confused and bleary eyed,

Just as I did at my own bedside.

The 02 mask is applied,

My pt's confusion starts to subside.

But then he yells, "I can't breathe!"

I misunderstood...he wants green beans.

The effects of Versed makes me chuckle,

Until he tries to give me a sandwich made of knuckle.

"Calm down, relax!" commands the CRNA,

She has had quite a long day.

I strip off my surgical gown,

Thankful that I can finally sit down.

Exhausted, I clock out with a smile on my face,

I absolutely love this place.

Surgical nursing is my forte, and I love it so,

But dollar pitchers...HERE WE GO!"

Not so pure, but realistic in the world of OR nursing. Not Hallmark; more like Blue Collar Comedy!

[rn/writer, RN]

Such a vivid work picture I can just about the place. But I'll take a diet Coke at the end of the day.