An Open letter of thanks......

I was back at work today, and I had the pleasure of nursing one of the most pleasant individuals I have ever had the opportunity to nurse. This individual was so gentle, they just oozed kindness and sincerity. This person was in their 80's and had many life experiences both good and bad but appeared to take them all in stride. They were more than happy to share their life experiences with me. They had the most subtle way of sharing some of life's lessons and unknowingly provided some wonderful words of wisdom and insight. I felt fortunate.....no blessed to have had the opportunity to have cared for this individual today. I think what made it so special was that even though there was over 40 years between us, I still could appreciate what they had to say.

When I reflect on my nursing career and all the patients I have nursed there are a handful that really stick out in my memory banks....some of those patients go back to my early days of nursing, the others are spread throughout my nursing career. The times when I have felt down and dejected about my profession I reflect on these encounters and realize it is these interactions that have kept me so passionate about nursing.

People often ask me "how can you do it" How can you do what you do. I often say I don't know, but today it was different. If someone were to ask me today how I could do what I do I would know exactly what to say. It's because of days like today. It's because of the encounters with patients like I had today that keeps me going. Genuineness.....I remember in nursing school learning about this....I read it...I wrote papers on it....I thought I understood it....today this word for the first time this action of genuiness came so naturally. It wasn't until I started writing this post that I realized that this skill had been used. In writing this post I am able to reflect on the true meaning and purpose of this word and the impact of using this technique enhanced the nurse patient relationship. I genuinely and actively listened what they had to say.....I used that information to build a working, healthy trusting relationship with the patient. A relationship that helps promote health. It was odd how naturally the skills taught in nursing school came to me, it was as though it was second nature to me....

So today when I think about nursing, I think about what it brings to me. How it has been a part of making me who I am today. How it has provided me the opportunity to enter some ones life, to be part of their life if only for 12 hours. To be given the opporutnity to hear about their life experiences, to sit there like a nursery child listening to a teacher read one of your favourite stories. Yes it is days like today that affirms for me why I went into nursing.

I thank all of those patients who have allowed me to enter their lives if only briefly. I thank you for teaching me some of life's lessons. I believe it is because of you that I am a better nurse for being able to be part of your healing journey.

I thank you.

Sincerely,

Smalltown RN