Friday 12 May 2017

I am Proud to be a Nurse.

Today, May 12th is Nurses' Day. A day to celebrate all things nursing and nursing heroes. For me it's a day to reflect on why I chose the career I did and to focus on the path ahead of me. You may have been following my little mini series I have written sharing my nursing journey and how I began in my nursing career.....you may also recall the 2nd post in the series which was things not to say to a nurse! A tongue in cheek post but a lighthearted reminder that a sense of humour is without a doubt an important attribute to have when nursing. 

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I tell no lies when I say I truly love my job. I feel very lucky that I'm able to work in a role that I enjoy. It was an epic career change for me when I decided to start my training in 2009, a huge learning curve and not without challenges as you will know if you follow my blog. I'm still relatively fresh and new in my career and although the nursing profession is constantly taking a battering, we have terrible pay and daily challenges I continue to love being a Nurse. 

I've been extremely privileged within my career so far to work with some incredible nurses. My first band 6, a District Nursing sister taught me all I know about wound care and nursing in the community setting, she is my hero of nursing and without her I wouldn't be the Nurse I am today. Throughout my training I have worked alongside many wonderful nurses that are the backbone of our NHS and this day is for them. 

So why am I proud to be a nurse? Well why wouldn't I be, I believe to care for people is in my blood, I almost felt a calling into the career, after deciding life is too short I made that decision to have a career change and it was the best decision I've made.  So many reasons as to why I am proud to be a nurse, too many to mention. I wear my uniform with pride, I enjoy the diverse and challenging nature of the job and the unexpected. I learn something new everyday and I am lucky to have cared for some lovely patients and families. 


It got me thinking, seen as nurses' day is to celebrate and give thanks to these amazing healthcare professionals I'd throw it open to some fellow bloggers, family and friends to see what nurses' mean to them and if they would like to thank any. I'm going to kick it off.......

I want to say thanks to all of the nurses' that I have worked with past and present for inspiring me and making me the nurse I am today. I also want to thank the wonderful Nurses in Leicester Royal Infirmary and Glenfield for looking after my Dad after his heart attack. Also the lovely paediatric nurses that have recently cared for Elarna.

Sam, my lovely hairdresser says nurses are filled with kindness, empathy, are educated and empathetic. She says the care and counselling received at Hinchingbrooke and Papworth hospital after her heart attacks was fab.  


Kate who blogs over at Family Fever says the neonatal nurses who looked after her premature and sick babies really made a difference. They made a terrifying experience more bearable and celebrated every milestone with them. How lovely is that!


The NICU nurses are who Emily from Twin Mum and Dad would like to thank, she says not only did they look after their twin girls when they were born premature but they supported Emily and her husband. They even made little hand and foot prints for Emily for mothers day which she still has now. I'm so pleased that nurses supported you through this Emily. 

Erica from The Incidental Parent has recently had an operation and says that she was treated with dignity and respect by the nurses she was cared for, she says they couldn't have been kinder. They also provided her with a cup of tea and sandwiches after her op!! Always nice to read such a positive experience Erica and I hope you are on the road to recovery. 

Bek who blogs over at Dillydrops says nurses are amazing! They cared brilliantly for my daughter when she had pneumonia. They were reassuring and spoke to us calmly and kindly, even though it was a scary time. I'm so pleased you were offered this care Bek!


Nigel from DIY Daddy says the nurses who looked after his twins while they were in special care were devoted and reassuring. He says without them they would have struggled to get through that 27 days. Ahhh Nigel what a lovely thing to say and look at your girls now, they are thriving.

Heledd who blogs at Yummy Blogger  wants to thank the nurses in Bronglais hospital and Aberystwth. She said they gave wonderful care and kind support to her and her family before her Dad passed away. She said nurses are wonderful people, very special. Hearing comments like that makes me thankful I am in my job.

The ICU nurses are who Jayne from Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs wants to thank. She says the round the clock care for her husband after his heart transplant was truly amazing and she will be forever thankful. Jayne, I hope your husband has recovered. Lovely comments. 

Lisa from That British Betty wants say thankyou to the nurses that looked after her fiance after he died suddenly in 2014, they went out of their way to bring tea throughout the night and even cried with her daughters when making difficult decisions. She says that nurses are the most compassionate, caring and talented human beings on the planet and deserve more recognition and reward they currently receive. Lisa, I'm incredibly sorry for your loss. What beautiful words, the nurses caring for you all sound amazing. 


I have been privileged to give a patient the death they wished for. To hold their hand as they take their last breath. I have been there to support their family after. I have healed wounds, knelt in urine, felt at risk but continued my duty, inserted catheters, cleaned up faeces. I have run late with appointments chatting to patients who have seen nobody but me for days, I have been sworn at, abused, threatened. I have entered people's houses to find them collapsed on the floor.  I have stopped and helped injured people on the roadside, I have been late home to my family after setting up syringe drivers, I have worked overtime for no extra money,  I have cried, I have smiled, I have laughed. I have felt stressed, I have worried, I reflect constantly. I have come home wondering if I've done the right thing, wondering if I've made the right career choice. I have been a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, a helping hand. I have struggled to find the right work/life balance, I often carry the weight of the world on my shoulders and question my ability.  Above all I continue to love my job, be PROUD to call myself a Nurse and be amazed at the individuals that work in our profession. 

I am a Nurse. I am proud to be a Nurse. Big respect to my fellow nurses and whatever is thrown at us we will continue doing what we do best and providing care and compassion always. 

HAPPY NURSES' DAY!!


14 comments:

  1. Happy Nurses Day! My mum is a nurse and I know how much she loves her job, so proud of her. You do amazing work!

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  2. I think being a nurse is such an undervalued job. I mean where would we all be without nurses? The long hours for the crappy pay, but nurses do it all with a smile on their face and they make us feel better. Thanks for including my comment. Thanks for linking up to #ThatFridayLinky

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  3. As an X RAY Tech I work closely with many nurses and I'm consistently amazed with all that they do. You should be proud. Happy Nurse's week. #thatfridaylinky

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  4. I have always regretted not becoming a nurse, I still wish I could. #blogcrush

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  5. What a lovely post to hear about someone who really loves their job!! So lovely to read (from an ex paediatric nurse in a former life before twins happened!!!) #thatfridaylinky

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  6. This encompasses everything .....but the giving goes on beyond.x

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  7. I'd like to leave a little comment to thank YOU for being a nurse. I come from a family of nurses: my grandma, my mom, my brother, my brother-in-law. I know the care that they bring to the workplace and the compassion that is integral in their calling to be nurses. As you rightly point out: it's not an easy job and I am so thankful for the wonderful people who are called to this career. They have cared for me & for my infant daughter. For dying grandparents and scared family members about to undergo surgery. Thank you for being one of these wonderful people. #BlogCrush

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  8. Nurses are wonderful people and I think you do a fantastic job with little credit because we would be lost without nurses fab post and well done on doing a great job Thanks for linking to the #THAT FRIDAY LINKY come back next week please

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  9. My eldest daughter (6) has spent many weeks in hospital. The nurses are amazing. The hours they work are so long, and the jobs they have to do can be so horrible. And yet they do it with a professional, and often encouraging demeanor. When a doctor didn't believe me (a young, first-time mum), it was a nurse that backed me up and was willing to stand up to him for me. Nurses are wonderful. I could never do that job, and I am so gratefully that these amazing people do it because their work is invaluable.

    Plus somebody else obviously thinks so too because this fab post was uploaded to the #blogcrush linky. Congratulations! #blogcrush

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  10. Nurses do rock. You have a very difficult job, one not all of us are suited to. I know I couldn't do it, I don't have the patience for it. We've come across some fabulous nurses, especially since having L, so thank you #bestandworst

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  11. A wonderful post. When Little Man was in NICU at GOSH the nursing staff and their one-to-one care was fantastic. They were supportive and caring to us too. The care and devotion those nurses showed was awe inspiring.
    #bestandworst

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  12. Nurses do an incredible job so thank you! The difference you make to people's lives should never be underestimated. #bestandworst

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  13. Nurses are the backbone of the NHS, without them it wouldn't run at all. Since my boys have been born we have been lucky enough to be treated by some great nurses on a couple of stays. #bestandworst

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  14. It seems ridiculous that nurses are not on better pay. They should be paid more than footballers I think. #bestandworst

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I absolutely love it when someone leaves me a comment, I will always reply back when possible! You can also follow me on twitter for more beautiful chatter: @Helsy_1983