We believe good nursing is the backbone of healthcare. When we think of nurses, we think of dedicated and inspirational people who work incredibly hard to make people better. The passion and empathy shown by nurses on a daily basis is unbelievably special, and we still haven’t met one nurse who hasn’t been there for a patient through the hardest times. Because we’re so proud of nurses, we decided to speak to those that have dedicated their lives to caring, to see what moments they are most proud of – and what keeps them doing what they love.
Melissa, Arizona
As a younger nurse, I had a patient transferred to me from another hospital. Prior to his accident he had been a judge, however, he was now quadriplegic and ventilator-dependent. I settled him in and explained to the family that I was there for the next twelve hours and I would be taking care of him.
He and I had an instant bond and we were able to talk via a communication board. He told me about his accident and how sad he was with his condition, knowing he wouldn’t be getting any better. I asked him if he’d had that talk with his family. He explained he hadn’t and that he didn’t know how to broach the subject. He asked me if I could do it for him.
I called his family that morning and asked them to come in. I explained to his family his feelings, including his Do Not Resuscitate wishes. It was incredibly emotional. In the end, we all agreed to a withdrawal of care, which meant he could die naturally as he wished.
Since I was responsible for his care, it was my job to remove the patient from his ventilator and administer the morphine drip. I stayed with him and his family until the end.
This was 18 years ago and I still get a Christmas card from his family thanking me for the care and compassion I showed him in our short relationship.
Mikki, Florida
I once took care of a young woman that developed necrotizing fasciitis after she delivered her baby. To stop it from spreading, she had to undergo several surgeries. One time, when she returned from surgery, she felt like the bed was floating in the air. I stayed with her and reassured her until she was able to sleep.
When she got well, she returned every Valentine’s Day for several years, just to say thank you. We laugh about it now, but I know she is one of many people for whom I have made a difference. Sometimes the little things you do for people impact them the most.
Renee, Pennsylvania
I’ve had many great days as a nurse. The one that sticks out the most is the day I visited a patient in her home when I was a home care nurse. She was elderly and frail so I spent time with her, organizing her medications, making her a cup of tea, and teaching her how to use her inhalers properly as she had COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
She asked me to sit next to her and then said: “I’ve been praying to God that he send me a kind, smart, compassionate nurse. And he just answered my prayer.”. This brought me to tears and reminded me how important our role is to those who are vulnerable and in need.
Melissa, Arizona
My proudest moment as a nurse was when I graduated from my NP program. I was a single mother working nights and did not believe I would ever be able to accomplish what I did.
I truly believe that it takes a certain person to be a nurse. I started college as an art major but left when I had my son. After that, I was working at a hospital-based health and wellness program when I came into contact with several RNs. What impressed me most about them was their level of knowledge and caring. Becoming a nurse is the greatest thing that happened to me.
Michael, California
I was working as a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner and I had a patient who had been sent to our hospital from the VA. He was having a hard time getting authorization for a CT scan that was needed before he could proceed with surgery. He had served in Vietnam and was suffering from a metastatic cancer to the spine. I made a call to the VA to make sure the process was handled and things didn’t get delayed. In the end, he was able to receive the treatment he needed.
As nurses, we are advocates for our patients and who better to be an advocate for than a man who has given all for our Country? I was proud to have met and had the opportunity to care for this patient. It was my honor.
Stacey, Virginia
I had the pleasure of caring for a hospice patient for a couple of months. When he passed away, the family thanked me for providing their loved one with outstanding care. I was incredibly touched that they appreciated all that I had done.
Do you have a moment that makes you proud to be a nurse? Let us know by tweeting us and hashtagging #ProudToBeANurse!
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