"Warrior Angels rise above corporate health care rules"-Letter to the editor

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

Just saw this letter to the editor in the local paper. I don't know which hospital he went to but it doesn't matter. I was just struck by his appreciation for the nurses and the doctor who did their jobs well despite limitations put on them by corporate flukeys.

http://www.inforum.com/content/letter-warrior-angels-rise-above-corporate-health-care-rules

Within the takeover of the healing profession by the corporate ranks that base success on mass numbers, speed and money, there resides a quiet army of warrior angels heaven bent on the well-being of the patients and their families regardless of orders from “the man.”

I was the recipient of great love and care at our local hospital when it was revealed through tests ordered by my concerned primary doctor that I had a blockage in my left subclavian artery. From the moment I walked into the day unit until the moment I was tenderly walked out by my recovery nurse, I was treated with respect and kindness. But it was the warrior angels who showed me that love walks the halls and fills the operating rooms with the ancient traditions of all the healers of all our tribes and all our villages and communities that ever have existed – those humans dedicated to healing and to life.

I give great thanks and gratitude to my prep nurse whose strength and humor told me that she listens to her corporate instructions outside of the patient’s room but when she walks through the door and into your life, her training of 34 years and dedication to nurture and care take over, period. Thank you.

And the smiles of my heart go to my surgical nurse, who eased my fear when she took my hand and told me that from this moment until the surgery was complete I was hers. Her eyes and intuition would never leave my body, never leave my well-being. I was her priority. Her smiling face was the last thing I saw before I drifted off for the procedure.

And then there was my skilled, confident, compassionate surgeon, whom I am sure the healing archangel Raphael walks beside, whose piercing blue eyes riveted mine, expressing to me: “I’ve got this.” I relaxed into whatever was to come.

Surgery was successful. My life begins again. Revealed to me was that no matter what the media, the corporatocracy, the fear mongers dictate to us about our lives and how we must live by their rules, among us quietly walk the humans who say “Not on my watch” and go about the business that called their hearts and minds to love.

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

A lot of us balk at the label "Selfless Angels" because it infers super human qualities that Corporate loves to exploit-- to their own benefit.

Rising to the occasion, being a team player, going above and beyond, and customer service are effective tools used to goad and shame health care staff into more and more absurd workplace expectations. They depend on the workers to increase productivity and profit. And they will push those lines until the backs break. When it does break-- and they know it will-- there is already a plan in place that has long since counted the cost, and is prepared for the outcomes of the risks.

What they cannot prepare for or quantify are the unknown, confounding variables. It may take that type of occurrence to stop the madness.

I do, however, really appreciate this person's letter. We do what we do because we are smart, educated, prepared, professional, and we love people. And we do it despite Corporate.

[No Stars In My Eyes]

When I worked in Home Health in the 1990's there was a big company-wide meeting, with a bunch from the corporate office. It was tedious, to say the least. At one point we got the pat on the head speech: "We are so appreciative of how hard you all work for us," And I uttered a very audible (maybe loudly, even) "HA!" I stood up and said, excuse me, no offense, but I don't do this work for you or the company, I work for my ​patients."