I, sometimes, wonder why I am a nurse. While at work I hear lots of complaints about a lot of things. Nurses complain about doctors. Doctors complain about nurses. Older nurses complain about newer nurses who “don’t know anything but think they know everything.” New nurses complain about older nurses who “are burned out and need to find something else to do.” Patients complain about needles. Families complain about hospital food. It is a circle that we get trapped in and can’t always find our why out of. It is hard not to get sucked into that mentality of complaining, complaining, complaining…..
Now I am not saying that I never complain. I DO!! After all, I would much rather be at the French Quarter Festival or the Strawberry Festival, but I am at the hospital. When I start complaining, I have to refocus my attention. I have to remember to let the love of Jesus shine through me. I have to get back to the question….why am I a nurse. I am not necessarily the most compassionate person in the world. Just asked the girls. They learned very young that if you could still walk, blood wasn’t squirting out, or a limb wasn’t bending in a way that it shouldn’t be bending then you needed to “just suck it up and move on.” Now we have had a few of those limbs that were bending in the wrong places. When that happens, they get all the attention and caring that they need. But, otherwise, toughen up!!! I guess that comes from years of seeing all the bad things that cars and machines do to people, people do to other people, people do to themselves, etc. Now back to the point…..
Today I remembered why I am a nurse. Nurses sometimes get a chance to speak truth into someone’s life. Most often we are dealing with people who are in crisis mode. It is easy to forget that when they are irrational. It is at times like this (irrational patients and families) that I am called. It is an honor to speak the name of Jesus and pray with families in crisis situations. And when a co-worker says to me, “Y0u are always so calm. Where does your peace come from?” I am ready for a Jesus conversation.
Those who love Your law have great peace,And nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119:165
Her ways are pleasant waysAnd all her paths are peace. Proverbs 3:7
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27
The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ. Acts 10:36
“My peace comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” When that statement came out of my mouth, I looked around to see a Catholic priest, two women that I know are very active in their Catholic church, a Muslim woman, and someone who states that he is “probably aethist.
