The Nursing Moments we all live for...

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

The times when we nurses feel we are making a difference. :)

For all the times we feel our efforts are futile, for those times we go home feeling unappreciated, overworked, frazzled, and up against that old brick wall... there comes that moment when all those negatives are washed away in one rewarding contact when we have truly succeeded in "making a difference".

I had such a day today. My HH patient has had several issues this past week or more. I was able to be there for him, intervene for him, his PCP was open to suggestions and worked with me on finding resolutions.

The patient's son, too, was having issues of his own. A wonderful, caring human being in his early forties, the stress of being his aging father's sole caregiver was taking its toll on his own health. Although he is not my patient, I was concerned for him and decided to do what I could on his behalf.

Being sole caregiver, he is not able to hold a job away from home, as his father needs 24/7 care. Thus, the son has no income, and therefor also no health insurance.

While checking his father's BP, the son checked his own with his BP machine. Diastolic was over 100. Son was also beginning to experience back pain from lifting his father and helping him in and out of bed, the tub, etc. He had a brother who died in his forties from heart disease.

I could not be neutral, patient or not. I went home yesterday and made some phone calls and was able to secure him an appointment at our local free clinic, even obtain info from the VA for an aid and assistant benefit as his father is a veteran. I called the father's PCP and had him call in an order for a hoyer lift.

While none of this seems like a big deal, to this father and son, it was EVERYTHING.

They are so very appreciative of our efforts, for all our interventions and they never fail to voice their gratitude. When I gave them the info this morning which I had obtained, and called the doc once again on the father's behalf re the less than positive outcome of current tx. and interventions, they were so very, very moved and simply could not adequately express their gratitude.

It is for moments such as these that we nurses do what we do. Moments like these are what keep us going and renew our energy, our faith and our first love of all things nursing.

[Ms Kylee]

Thank you for caring! You truly made a difference. :yeah:

[MEME123]

What a sweet little story. Made me smile. They got a two for one from you. That was nice of you, to take that little bit of extra interest. Yes, some families are so grateful for everything. I'm glad it made your day. You

deserved it. You made their day. Happy day all around. Sweet.

PS I think you took a lot of worry off of the son, with what you did.

[NHCNurse]

It's nurses like you who made me want to become a nurse. In case nobody has told you, thank you for taking your time to make a difference in someone's life! You're awesome!

[Simplepleasures]

Yup, those might be few and far between , but it makes it one's day when it happens.