Where would we be without nurses — these extraordinary people who choose careers dedicated entirely to helping others when they are most vulnerable?
This being National Nurses Week, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the role these selfless caregivers play in our lives and the lives of those we hold most dear.
When I was hospitalized a few years ago, it was an ICU nurse named Renee who, when I woke up confused at night, held my hand and made me feel safe and secure — even through the fuzziness of my heavy sedation. And several days later, after the doctor had visited my bedside and told me recovery might be long and difficult, it was a nurse who saw the anxiety in my eyes and said, in a confident, reassuring, no-nonsense tone, “Patricia, you’re going to recover. You’re going to be fine.” My relief and shift in perspective were immediate. I believed her. I often think of how she said just what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it, and I’m grateful.
Most of us have such stories, or tales of nurses who cared for our moms, our dads, our spouses or children. In honor of these caring individuals, Kaiser Permanente has developed a special site dedicated to the 2014 Nurses Week. The site features several nurse profiles as well as stories authored by nurses, themselves.
So: Here’s to nurses and all the good they do in this world.
