The honor of basic nursing care

Just wanted to share a special moment that helped to remind me why I do what I do. I admitted a homeless, poorly controlled diabetic yesterday whose feet were... Well, you can imagine. I had a student who was excited to go through the admission process and hang fluids, give meds, etc which gave me the opportunity to focus more on the patient. Unable to assess whether the black spots on his feet were wounds, dirt, or a combination of both, I filled a basin with warm water and gently washed his feet. With a thick accent, broken English, and tears in his eyes, this sweet man repeated, "thank you" and "God bless you" as I washed, dried, and massaged his worn out feet with lotion. It was a humbling and intimate experience. I told him that Jesus washed the feet of his friends and so I considered it an honor to do the same. I left my shift renewed and reminded of how awesome it is to be a nurse.

How wonderful!

That's very nice

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the reminder.

It's not about us, it's all about who we care for........no matter their station in life.

The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN, RN]

I volunteer a few times a month in a free clinic that is for the poorest of the poor in our community. I feel honored and humbled to care for these folks. They are the ones who have fallen through the cracks. They are the ones who cannot afford the ACA. But they are so appreciative of what we do for them. I just wish I could do more for them.

[SeattleJess]

Bless your heart. You are helping me to remember that we are all The One. Didn't Mother Theresa say something about "Jesus in one of his distressing disguises" being the challenges we serve? Thank you for your story of love and service.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

As I have said many times...it's the little things that count.

Underneath all that equipment. IN the midst of all the chaos...lies A PATIENT. They are frightened. Alone. Sick. And in pain. That someone "sees" them...means more than all the education, certifications, and high technology all combined.

Well done!

That story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, and God bless you.

Post of the year, without a doubt.

Thank you so much for your post! It brought tears to my eyes,too! Thanks for reminding me how fortunate we are to be part of this profession. You'll never forget him.....and he will NEVER :) forget you !

It is such an honor isn't ? The reason I became a nurse.

[LadyFree28, BSN, RN]

Not only basic, but the foundation of what we do.

I had to send an unresponsive baby out a couple weeks ago-got the child back, was able to wash her and get her ready to be sent out-I thought of her dignity, even at such a young age and trying to fight-I didn't think much of it then, but your post made me remember, even though she is no longer with us.

Thank You.

[ilikesharpthings]

Thanks, everyone, for your kind replies and your stories. I think we all need moments like these to buoy us through the frequent moments when we're thinking, "What did I get myself into?! Why didn't I become a (insert profession here)?"

I don't know what this gentleman's outcome is - haven't been to work since that day - but you're right, I won't forget him. And his gratitude will carry me through patients who express anything but.

It's moments like this that make it all worth it. Thank you for sharing.

[loriangel14, RN]

That's beautiful. I hope your patient learned from it.

This why I would never leave the bedside. The patients are why I love being a nurse.

[nursel56]

Thanks for sharing this. I find that these things are one of the few things we do that give us immediate feedback as to the value of our actions. Not saying the big picture and the team aren't important, but all of us need to see it directly in our patient's eyes and expression to nurture ourselves as well.