What do nurses do?
Nurses dedicate their lives to their patients.
They give their time, attention and understanding to others.
They participate in the lives of other people.
They “put themselves in the other person’s shoes.”
That’s what nurses do.
Nurses help their patients during the worse moments of their lives.
They provide a sympathetic ear and a compassionate heart.
They stand firm when people around them can’t.
They become a buffer between reality and hope.
That’s what nurses do.
Nurses are a bridge between the physician and the patient.
They explain to the patient what the doctor just said.
They approach the doctor on the patient’s behalf.
They provide the details while the doctor provides the big picture.
That’s what nurses do.
Nurses respond quickly to any emergency.
They run toward the crisis while others are running away.
They memorize and practice life saving techniques.
They put their emotions on a shelf until the crisis is handled.
That’s what nurses do.
Nurses are people, they have feelings too.
They build a wall of protection around their hearts so they can survive.
They let some things in while keeping other things out.
They learn to cope with things other people can’t handle.
That’s what nurses do.
Nurses make sense of the confusing medical world.
They speak “medical” and interpret it for those who don’t.
They solve puzzles about cause and effect, actions and results.
They analyze and deduce, then use their knowledge to govern their actions.
That’s what nurses do.
Nurses get up early while others sleep in.
They man the night shift so someone is there all night long.
They give up holidays and family time because they have a job to do.
They sacrifice a part of their lives and take up a portion of other’s lives.
That’s what nurses do.
Nurses get tired, they get cranky, they get lonely.
They are human with human feelings, wants and needs.
They try not to let their patients see their human side.
That might be misunderstood, after all they are not at work for themselves.
That’s what nurses do.
I am very proud to be a nurse!
Linda DeMoss RN
