Nurses Day is chance to recognise the good work we (nurses) do, to celebrate and recognise my colleagues and friends.
I have been a nurse for nearly 30 years - wow! I love my job, plain and simple. I feel privileged to do what I do, and to have seen what I have seen. On a daily basis people let me into their lives, and their homes, and trust me to look after them, support them and help them.
I can remember the first person I nursed who passed away - as a 19 year old girl that was quite a scary thing to do. He reassured me that I was helping him - note HE reassured me! I have seen life and death, all of it an honour. I have laughed, and cried, I've been frustrated and angry but I have never felt I made the wrong choice of career. I have met some amazing, selfless people - colleagues, patients, relatives and carers alike. Too often we are criticised, the good rarely comes to light (as in all things). My best friends are nurses I have met along the way, they have become my family. I trust them with anything and everything.
I work in a fantastic team of nurses. We have worked hard to get where we are as a team - personally and professionally. We work hard, we support each other and we enjoy what we do. Sometimes nurses are too hard on themselves, and expect too much of each other. We need to recognise and applaud what we do, and Nurses Day is an ideal time. But in reality we should do this every day and not just once a year.
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