Nursing: To give oneself with no reward or appreciation.

I remember being with my Grandma the week before she passed away from cancer...it was about 9 months before I started nursing school. I remember stroking her hair and talking to her as she slept (she was on hospice at home) and wishing I was already a nurse so that I could participate in her care. You are lucky that you had the skills to be able to care for your grandmother. Thanks for your post. mo

Very well said. I constantly remind myself that when I go into work and nurse, each one of those souls I attend to remembers that interaction. It's amazing when you get a patient back into hospital that you've nursed, and maybe you have a vage memory of them, you walk into to their room and they smile saying " Hi (insert name) how's your (insert pet) I remember you making that first cup of tea for me, after being nil by mouth for 2 weeks, and how you made it in a china cup, not just one of the plastic hospital cups." Point is, like you said, our patients do remember the small things, and these small things count, some times more than the big ones. Thanks for your post.

Thanks for sharing the story.

As I wipe the tears from my eyes, This is what being a Nurse is all about the caring loving attitudes to all of our patients and family members. I walk into every room with the thought that if this were my oarents, siblings,ect how would I want them treated and do this. Even when you have ahd that one patient you thought you would lose your Lic over they have to be treated with respect. Nursing is not only a job but for alot of us it's a way of life and I can proudly say one that I love having.

so well written-your empathy comes through loud and clear. It's a good reminder to all of us who have been nursing 'forever' to remember that the 'patient'(no matter how disagreeable or negative they may be),is a person with a story ,not just a number! We all deserve respect and caring.

Thank you all for your comments and support!