Nurses will brush off the idea that they are heroes. In fact, many nurses go their entire career without being in the public eye or receiving an award. But nurses routinely demonstrate on-the-job heroic qualities. This article is written to celebrate the everyday nurse hero.
The nursing profession is brimming with larger-than-life nurse heroes. The kind of nurse heroes who advocate and bring change to local, regional and even global communities. The kind of nurse heroes who bravely serve our country and who save lives during natural disasters. These nurse contributions certainly fit the definition of a hero; someone who gives of themselves, often putting their own lives at great risk for the greater good of others.
The majority of nurses don't have careers that rise to the level of a "larger-than-life" nurse hero. Nurses may go their entire career and never receive an award, honor or other recognition of extreme bravery. However, it is the overlooked everyday hero that is the foundation of the nursing profession. This article is written in celebration of what makes nurses everyday heroes.
Quote
"A hero is someone who voluntarily walks into the unknown.” -Tom Hanks
Heroes Genuinely Care About Others
According to researchers, people with heroic tendencies have much higher levels of empathy. Nurses care for patients in pain and suffering and are able to "walk a mile" in the patient's shoes. Often burdened with mental and physical fatigue, nurses are steadfast in compassionately providing comfort and ensuring patient safety. We bring kindness to patients when they are most vulnerable.
Nurses Take and Keep Control
In the chaos that often surrounds healthcare, nurses can bring things together, keep it together and make it happen. Heroes quickly anticipate and address problems while paying close attention to even the smallest details. Whether facing a life or death situation or troubleshooting the unexpected, nurses understand the importance of a clear mind and calm response.
Nurses Have Great Sense of Humor
Sure, Iron Man is funny and Wonder Woman makes me smile. However, nurses make great use of comedic laughter. Research has shown humor can boost the immune system and laughter improves cardiovascular health. Nurses take it one step further and use humor to deal with tremendous on-the-job stressors. What better to find creative solutions to complex problems than with a little comic relief? Also, the rewards that come with putting a smile on the face of someone who is scared and anxious is priceless.
Nurses Are Vigilant Protectors
Nurses are rigorous and assertive in providing safe care to patients. They also leap into action when patient safety is compromised. Here are just a few ways nurses protect patients in providing routine care:
Take ownership and action when something is wrong
Don't give up until patient is protected or stabilized
Focus on the details of complex and changing clinical pictures
Listen to concerns of patients and caregivers
Carefully monitor patients before, during and after procedures
Meticulously administer medications and treatments
Nurses routinely go up "the chain of command" to safeguard those they care for.
Nurses Don't Know They Are Heroes
As you read this article, you may be thinking , "I just really don't think I am a hero". The truth? Most nurses don't. With humility, most nurses would simply say, "I am just doing my job". But nurses care for others as they would their own loved ones and carry the strength needed to heal in demanding environments.
Nurses Handle the Gag-Worthy
OK, so it is not actually the ability to handle what grosses other people out that makes nurses everyday heroes. It is how nurses gracefully deal with the disgusting. Always the protector, nurses use controlled responses to compassionately safeguard the dignity of others. Even everyday nurse heroes experience pangs of stomach queasiness with certain sights, sounds and odors. However, the nurse does not allow her discomfort to show and that is what makes them heroes.
Is it likely you were drawn to this profession because a nurse touched or inspired you at some point in your life?
Many nurses work/worked from home during the pandemic. They are not heroes. Attaching heroism to an entire profession, be it police, nursing, strippers, military etc. is irrational, whether one is being paid or doing charity is somewhat irrelevant. Heroism is more of an individual act. It is going above and beyond the call of duty to do something that most people wouldn't do given the same circumstances. The man who climbed up the wall to save a baby dangling from the balcony of a multiple-storied building in France comes to mind. Another example would be the divers who volunteered to go on a search of under water caves to save the soccer team in Asia.
Specializes in Labor and delivery, ED, home health, med surg.
I don’t want to be a hero! I want my 30 minute uninterrupted lunch break, be able to use the restroom every four hours and leave my water bottle at my work station!
If nurses were heroes than I would not be getting in trouble for calling too many rapids. If nurses are suppose to advocate for patients than please explain to my manager who is trying to get rid of me because she believes I don’t have critical thinking skills due to too many rapids called.
Nurses are not heroes we are just humans who got into this profession believing we will be making a difference and being rewarded with a steady job for it. Not the case anymore. There are no more steady jobs. If you ask too many questions, advocate for patients or step onto the wrong foot one day you will be framed and humiliated. Yes in hospitals the employees are connected they are friends and if you don’t know anyone you will be humiliated and burned in a fire like Salem witches were.
this is the kind of professions we are all in. I don’t regret for a moment all the patients I helped but I regret to be a nurse because I didn’t know healthcare system was operating on a cold stone heart.
Guest856929
486 Posts
Many nurses work/worked from home during the pandemic. They are not heroes. Attaching heroism to an entire profession, be it police, nursing, strippers, military etc. is irrational, whether one is being paid or doing charity is somewhat irrelevant. Heroism is more of an individual act. It is going above and beyond the call of duty to do something that most people wouldn't do given the same circumstances. The man who climbed up the wall to save a baby dangling from the balcony of a multiple-storied building in France comes to mind. Another example would be the divers who volunteered to go on a search of under water caves to save the soccer team in Asia.