Sunday, May 17, 1998

A belated appreciation for our hard-working nurses

By Paul Matta

I want to express my thanks to all the nurses of the Big Country for the work they do in caring for those that are unable to care for themselves. If you are a nurse in a home setting, nursing, residential facility or hospital, you are appreciated.

I work with nurses on a daily basis, and I see the heart, strength and courage that it takes to do that job day after day. From working at a hospital in Galveston County in my college days to the present, I have heard from nurses on how they are not appreciated. In the last 20 years I have seen some that do it because it's a job and whose hearts have become cold to the feelings of those they serve.

Then I have seen many who do it because of a compassion for the sick nd hurting. Those that do what it takes to make the sick and hurting do better or feel better.

These are the nurses that I want to appreciate. Those who give their all regardless of their bad day, feeling sick themselves, don't feel that they received a decent pay increase or even if they are being treated unfairly. They do what needs to be done to reach out to humanity with a loving heart.

I have seen nurses cry at times because they are so overworked, stretched out and stressed out. To have family problems of their own at home and still come to work to face obstacles or opposition. To see and hear problems from their patients and co-workers, to have complaints against them or to have been perceived to be uncaring, to be reprimanded for doing bad and knowing they did their very best and gave it their all and still have a positive attitude. These nurses deserve more than appreciation.

I have seen nurses do things that are far and beyond the call of duty. I've seen many who have paid for a patient's family members' meal out of their own pocket, buy a patient a newspaper or even cooked a home meal for families that have come from out of town or out of the country. I have seen many nurses shed tears when one of their patients has expired. Nurses don't just prick and stick patients on the arm, finger or hand, but they, too many times, hold a hand for comfort or give a patient a hug.

A few days ago a patient and his wife shared with me an experience they had while a family member was in the hospital at Hendrick.

It was a cold, icy day when the patient was not expected to live beyond a day or two. A grandson in Florida was wanting to be with his grandmother before she died. He asked her to hold on until he got there. The patient said she didn't think she could, but she would try.

The grandson did everything possible to get to Abilene as soon as he could. After some flight delays and upon finally reaching Dallas, he tried renting a vehicle but was not allowed to because of the icy conditions. He was told that Ranger Hill was closed off, that it was unsafe to travel.

As he continued to hope something would give, he called from the Dallas airport to check on his grandmother.

Some woman overheard the conversation, tapped him on the shoulder and told him she was going to Abilene. The grandson was able to be there for his grandmother, and yes, she was able to wait for him.

That lady who offered the grandson a ride was one of Hendrick's trauma center nurses.

This family will never forget how God worked some wonderful things for them. The patient's wife went on to say that every time they think of when Grandma died, they can't help but think of how God answered prayer through the nurse who went beyond her call of duty.

If you see nurses who may be having a bad day or a good day, let them know that you appreciate them. And if you are in a position to reward these nurses, then do so. Appreciation and rewards go a very long way.

Nurses, here's to you. You deserved the first-place award of commendation during National Nurses Appreciation Week May 6-12 (better late than never).

Paul Matta is Regional Contact Coordinator of Patient Relations at Hendrick Health Systems.