As a nurse in the digital age, I’ve seen a trend gaining popularity online. Scroll through social media long enough and you’ll see nurses posting rants or even memes about their patients.
For more than 20 years, I have been a public health nurse with the City of Toronto. I work in schools, homes, shelters and clinics. When I first started in the role, I didn’t quite understand the scope of practice for public health nurses.
Nursing is an intricate dance of empathy, skill and collaboration, much like the competitive dance routines I was part of growing up.
I was diagnosed with asthma at a young age and spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital. I remember how vigilant and tender the nurses were with my mother and I as they treated me for yet another asthma attack.
I’ve come to realize that nursing can humble you – real fast. I went from being a confident and competent emergency department RN to an insecure nurse trainee in an operating room.
To me, nursing is a beautiful mosaic of art, science and intent. As nurses, we strive to find the harmony between mental, physical and spiritual health for our clients.
As nurses, we wield so much power. The power to heal, lift up, strengthen and inspire.
To me, nursing means being a community nurse. To be a community nurse is to be a guest in your clients’ homes – and in their lives. When you enter the living spaces of others, you enter the place they hope to go for refuge, peace and recovery.
To me nursing is an adventure. Shortly after I started my career in obstetrics in Montréal, my husband joined the Canadian Armed Forces.
I remember my aunt once telling me: “Nursing isn’t just sitting at the bedside holding someone’s hand.” She said it mockingly, as if I didn’t have what it took to be a nurse.
