Nurse Survives as Patient

I am happy to report that all is well in the world of nursing. That is true, at least, in a certain Colorado hospital where I recently had surgery and spent one blissful night (I’m not kidding—it was wonderful). Hospitalization is a rare occurrence for me and, because it had been several years since my last one, I viewed this planned hospital stay as something of a fact-finding mission.

These are the facts I found: The nurses who cared for me were professional, pleasant, skilled, efficient, caring and thorough. When I asked questions, they had answers. Often, they gave me answers before I asked the questions. They were excellent educators. There were no surprises—the nurses were exactly as I expected they would be. If there is such a thing as a perfect hospital experience, I would have to say I had one.

I have been a RN for many years, during which time my pride in the nursing profession has never wavered. Despite having to deal with the frustrating and exhausting issues of understaffing and mandatory overtime, to name but two, nurses somehow manage to keep their patients’ needs at the forefront. You may say, “Of course we do. That’s what we’re supposed to do.” Well, sure. But, we all know that theory and practice can easily diverge, if allowed to. Stretched thin, hours on the feet, juggling career and family, yet nurses are creatively and skillfully doing what it takes, all for the bottom line—the patient. My nursing cap (remember those?) is off to each and every nurse who shows up every day to do it the way it should be done.