The Nightingale Pledge hold the words that all nurses speak, upon graduation from Nursing School. These words tell of our profession in its most basic sense.
Honesty. Integrity. Ethics. Loyalty. Compassion. Trust.
A nurse who possesses the above in her heart, mind and soul, is on the path to fulfilling this special pledge all nurses take on that wonderful day. Nurses before her, and nurses after; have, and will solemnly hold up their right hands and speak these same words. They mean the world to us.
When your path crosses that of a nurse, take just a moment to let them know that what they have chosen to do for a lifetime, is appreciated by others. And that--means everything to a nurse; hearing that the work done, along with the emotional investment given in patient care- has been meaningful to someone.
No matter what specialty a nurse chooses, and there are many available to us, our profession is a lot of heart. We want to touch that one person, just as I hope to do in writing this blog.
Thank you to all the nurses who taught me, took me under their wings, allowed me to feel comfortable in a new environment. I remember each and every one of you!
I've been away from a lot of things lately, and my desire was to post here, well...time has absolutely flown this month. November and December of 2010 are months that have held some of the most eye-opening and growing experiences that I have ever been subjected to. I am not talking strictly about pain here. Time to clean up a lot of emotional and personal closets. Throw out what was stagnant, toxic and cumbersome; allow in freedom of self, people around who are positive, with an outlook of good, not always the sad story that is told again and again. Nothing changes if we don't make it change! It takes strength of self, reaching deep inside to find what lie inside us; you may be surprised at just how strong you can be. It takes being in situations that require you to call upon your ability to adapt. That ability is amazingly easy to call up. Much easier than you may think!
If you are reading, thank you for checking back here with me! I never intend to allow days to go by without a post; yet this part of life also calls for adaptability--is there internet everywhere you've been? Try out a few days without being online. It gets easier.....but it's odd I must say.
Gentle Hugs-----<3
THE NIGHTINGALE PLEDGE
"I solemnly pledge myself before God and in
the presence of this assembly, to pass my life
in purity and to practice my profession
faithfully.
I will abstain from whatever is deleterious
and mischievous, and will not take or
knowingly administer any harmful drug.
I will do all in my power to maintain and
elevate the standard of my profession, and
will hold in confidence all personal matters
committed to my keeping and all family
affairs coming to my knowledge in the
practice of my calling.
With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the
physician, in his work, and devote myself to
the welfare of those committed to my care."
*The Nightingale Pledge was composed by Lystra Gretter, an instructor of nursing at the old Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and was first used by its graduating class in the spring of 1893. It is an adaptation of the
Hippocratic Oath taken by physicians.*
*Source: http://filipinonurse.blogspot.com
Shauna ~
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. I love nurses. Most of them, anyway. I have, unfortunately, had encounters with one or two who seemed to hate their work. However, more often than not, I have had amazing experiences with them.
It sounds like you have had a couple of trying months. I hope you end up with more positive from it than not.
I wish you a glorious holiday season, and wish you a new year filled with love, joy, and many blessings.
I do believe that being a chronic pain patient has made me become a better nurse. I hope so anyway.
ReplyDeleteHave a great holiday!
I think the meaning of mischievous must have changed over the last century or two, becuase I know some mighty mischievous nurses (not to their patients tho)....
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Mother, Jess, and Winny----<3
ReplyDeleteI found that I could agree with each of what you had to say---I too, know some interesting nurses as far as the choices they have made; the ease in which some flirt with what is sure to lose their license over amazes me.
For the most part, the nurses I've known have been wonderful to work with, learn from, and teach. :)
And Jessica--I agree 100% honey that being a Chronic Pain patient has made you a better nurse. I definitely feel that way also.:)
Each time a medical professional who gives direct care spends time as a patient; that experience teaches us what it is to be a patient. To see our jobs from our patients eyes will make the day run much easier in many forms!!
Hope you all are having great Holiday times with your loved ones!!
Gentle Hugs-----<3
Shauna, Thanks for sharing! Nurses are the most giving people and many sacrifice their personal time to comfort their patients. After spending 30 years in the medical profession in a position where I was responsible for staffing our facilities with over 100 nurses, I can honestly say that I have had to fire only 2 nurses in my career, compared to somewhere around 25 non-nursing personnel. Many nurses are my friends, my angels, and I have been so blessed to know them. Marie
ReplyDeleteAhhh Marie!!
ReplyDeleteWould you say that nurses truly enter the profession with pure love and the desire to help others?? That is what I have found for the most part, as you mentioned you only had to fire 2 nurses compared to 25 of the 'regular' folk...that does say a lot!!
I will see you NEXT YEAR!!
Gentle Hugs---<3