Message to All Our Nurses Representing an Important Group of Unsung Heroes

My mother always told me that no good deed ever goes unpunished. She would utter those words often to remind me of all the times she went out of her way to do nice things for me when my behavior was less than stellar towards her. Today, this adage is even more appropriate as it pertains to our "hometown hero nurses," that go unnoticed for all they do!

They are usually the first medical professional we encounter when we enter a medical facility. Yes, there is a lot of uncertainty, feelings of helplessness, and even fear associated with our predicament when we first meet them. Yet, we should never forget that they have families that love them and miss them because they are probably working extra-long hours helping us get through our medical issues. By the time they reach their loved ones, they are probably too tired to enjoy their families as much as they would like to. That is why there is no excuse to greet them with anger or hostility.

They are there to help us and not to take any abuse. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that 25% of Nurses face physical violence on the job. For those of us that have been to an Emergency Room or experienced a Hospital Stay, we can probably recall that without these angels, our ordeal would have been a lot worse without them.

Imagine what life would be like if these unsung heroes stopped caring for patients even when their assistance was essential for our safety and survival. Sadly, in a recent survey, as many as 66% of Nurses working in critical care positions have recently considered quitting their jobs. That is something we must all remember when we interact with our Nurses.

Let's not get upset when they ask us how we are feeling or when they ask us if we are taking all our recommended medications. Don't get mad if they ask us for information on our vaccine status! They are not here to judge us but only to help us get through our medical issues. Their goal is to protect themselves and the other patients they serve for many years to come.

It especially makes me sad when I meet nurses that have always felt a yearning for this type of work (including one of my Nieces) who always wanted to be a part of the profession since she was a child. She went into this career for the love of the game and not due to financial incentives. Imagine the feeling of always wanting to help others only to be met with hostility as you followed your life-long passion!

Saving lives on the frontlines has nothing to do with politics, and no one should ever forget this fact! We can be pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine, but if we are ever in a hospital for a Covid-19 or non-Covid-19 ailment, the help these health care professionals provide is essential. Without them, we would be more vulnerable, so why not show them our love and appreciation for their efforts.

And yes, sometimes we meet some Nurses that are less than friendly. But that is not because they want to be that way but rather because we have made them that way. News reports reveal that some nurses have begun to carry panic whistles and panic buttons to alert security when they encounter a dangerous situation and feel threatened!

We need to stop treating those that are there to help us as the enemy and show them our appreciation and respect for helping us get through our medical issues! Never forget that putting ourselves in the shoes of those in front of us goes a long way towards promoting good behavior.

This story is dedicated to Minerva, my lovely Niece that chose the Nursing Profession for the love of the game!