I was your nurse today.
The following was written by one of our Gypsy Nurse Network group members Becky Tracy.
An open letter to patients everywhere.
Sometimes as Nurses, we don’t take the time to explain everything, or we’re rushing in and out with a myriad of tasks that need our attention. Becky’s words could have been written to any number of patients from any number of nurses…
You think that I’ve given up on your family member. That I’m just letting him die.
What you don’t know is that I left your room to cry in the break room because my heart breaks for him. – I was your nurse today.
You’ve told me you are suicidal and you think I’m judging you.
What you don’t know is that I’ve been in your shoes and I truly understand. – I was your nurse today.
You’re embarrassed to tell me you overdosed.
What you don’t know is that I lost my friend to an OD and would give anything to see him again. – I was your nurse today.
You’re mad that I made you reposition in the bed, causing you discomfort.
What you don’t know is that I just want to keep you safe from skin breakdown. – I was your nurse today.
You’re flustered that I’m pushing juice down your throat, poking you with needles, and pushing meds down your IV.
What you don’t understand is that your blood sugar is massively low and I’m trying to protect you. – I was your nurse today.
You’re upset that you’ve only seen a nurse a few times in the last 12 hours.
What you don’t know is that I have a patient in critical condition that needs tending to. I have a new patient that just arrived on the floor. I was just punched in the face by a confused patient.
At this moment I feel like I haven’t been able to give you the attention that I would like to and now I feel like I’m a failure. – I was your nurse today.
I don’t always know the answers but I’m always searching. Always learning. Always listening and observing. Each day I come in with a stethoscope around my neck, a badge on my shirt, and my heart on my sleeve. There is no difference between you and I. I’m a person with problems. I am no better or less than you.
The only difference is that I was your nurse today.
