I am a nurse!

What does it feel like to be a nurse? In the second in our series of articles looking at life from particular people’s point of view, a local nurse relates what it feels like to work in a caring profession

 I am a nurse,

This means that wherever life knocks you down, and you can’t get up, I will help you.

I am here to save your ass, not to kiss it.

I am not a doctor.

I cannot “go on to be” a doctor anymore than your kitchen table can “go on to be” a fish!

I will care for you,

I will cry with you,

I will not let you treat me like the hired help,

I am not a sex object… that only happens in movies.

No, not those movies.

I am human;

I have a family too.

On Christmas night, and every other night of the year, I will leave that family so I can go and care for your family.

No, I don’t want a medal;

I am a professional,

My job is not a vocation; am I wearing a collar?

I am committed to those people who need my care.

If I wasn’t then perhaps I would get to go home on time each day.

I don’t want to see you suffer;

I will do everything in my power to comfort you.

When you face death, and especially if you are alone, I promise I will hold your hand.

If I walk past you and don’t make eye contact, it’s not because I don’t care, it’s because I’ve been holding this pee for three hours and I’m afraid if our eyes meet, you’ll call me and three hours will become four.

I am not a banker,

I am not a property developer,

I did not destroy the country!

I will never leave you waiting on purpose;

I became a nurse to do good.

While we might bicker a lot, I respect doctors.

That doesn’t mean I won’t stand up to them for you.

If I’ve made a positive difference to you, please tell me;

Knowing I’ve helped will get me through the days I feel like giving up.

You’ll find that those who say I’m paid too much just haven’t needed me yet!

When you hurt, I hurt too.

You will never know heartache until you have laid out a child.

If you are that child’s parent, your heartache is infinitely worse.

I remember your child;

I will never forget your child.

If I appear cross or impatient, please bear with me; your sore finger might be trivial to me right now if I’ve just been with a dying patient.

Give me a few minutes to gather myself; I know your sore finger is not trivial to you.

God, my feet hurt!

I have seen things no human should ever have to see. 

Hospital TV shows annoy me.

I still watch them.

I keep all the cards and letters you send me.

Respect older people. Their pains are more often the consequence of hard work.

Don’t talk at or over people with disability; it makes you look like a moron.

Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. It’s good for your health!

I don’t care if you have health insurance.

I don’t care if you’re rich.

I don’t care what colour you are. That blood is red and I’ve got to stop it coming out!

I will be with you when your life begins and when it ends.

When life gets on top of you, I will be there.

I do care.

I have the same worries as you - mortgage, kids, taxes, bills...

I will try to leave these worries at home when I come to work.

Sometimes I will fail; I am sorry.

Nothing makes me happier than when you get better.

Try to understand that I have a lot of people to care for, so, if I don’t answer that bell straight away, it isn’t because I can’t be bothered.

I am not perfect.

I am not an angel.

I am competent.

I am knowledgeable.

I am your mother, sister, brother, father.

I am human.

I am a nurse!