Pride in what we do as nurses

Every day, every decision we make as nurses can affect any patient we have. Knowledge and autonomy often saves the patient from harm and protects your license. Knowing why you are making decisions in the care of your patient not only provides them comfort and security but in many instances can ward off the evil spirits or four horsemen following them around. Many professions have hidden superstitions. "Tying the ends of the sheets" can keep your patient alive until the next day or shift and on the big holidays, it's a practice I've utilized, as much for the patient as the family. Nothing is harder than holidays without your loved ones. And sometimes, it's worked. In addition, the theory that death and trouble comes in threes, has yet to be unproven.
Going the extra mile is so important. And when there is time, I make every effort to make it part of my day. So many patients have told me I spoil them and the bottom line is that I really hope that some other nurse will care for anyone I love in the same manner. And I rarely consider it spoiling, I am frequently all about better living for the patient through comfort and chemistry. I am not going to change or fix someone hooked on narcotics or highly anxious or just the patient needing some extra TLC in the few hours or days I care for them, but alleviating their pain or anxiety through medication or just freshening and fluffing that pillow can make all the difference. And my night goes much better when the patients are comfortable and they feel more secure.
Being really good at what I do is as important or more so than the money we can make as nurses, and except for the exceptional few, I am seeing way too many new nurses coming out thinking it's ALL about the money. They often have little pride or true caring about the patients they provide care for. And this is THE CARING profession. You have to care about the patients to do your best for them. The money is an after thought when you are using all of your Knowledge and skill just to keep someone alive. The money should always be an after thought when you have Pride in what you do every day whether it is in saving lives or just tucking someone in with a warm blanket.