Pride

I am so very proud to be a part of a profession that cares for others in so many ways!

When you sit and actually think of what we do as nurses, the sheer scope of our practice is daunting!  We take care of people from the time they enter this world until the last breath on their exit. And of course EVERYTHING in between.

In this month of political electing and backbiting, I believe we can take a message from our governments’  leaders behavior and vow as a large group of professionals to NOT engage in such behaviors amongst ourselves.

How many times as young newbie nurses were we called out for various insufficiencies in our practice? How many times have we heard the wrath of the loudest, most opinionated member of staff going up one side and down the other of a nurse trying her very best to complete the overwhelming amount of work we are expected to complete in 12 hours?

Stop for a moment and remember…Pride.

Underneath the uniform is a person. A person who is trying her best, be it at the start of her career or nearing the end of it. We spend an enormous amount of time caring for others and so little time caring for each other sometimes. Step back, consider your words carefully and use the time to coach, help to understand or physically pitch in to get the work completed with the colleague.

Remember receiving the documents that cemented your registration or how it felt to have that gold school pin placed on the left side of your new white uniform and the stripe on your starched white cap changed to black? The days of pinning ceremonies and teas, starched whites and stockings may be far behind us but the pride still lives in each of us.

Take a moment out of your very busy day to look around your room, or office, desk area or bedside and be proud of all you have and will accomplish. Take a second to pass that pride to someone else on staff. Offer a hand, a quick break, a smile or a word of encouragement.

Pride.

It’s free, its in all of us and it’s so worth sharing with others.