MSSPNexus Blog: Change of Shift 1.1

Kim, our intrepid Emergency Department nurse blogger, has started a new bi-weekly blog carnival called Change of Shift. It features posts about nurses and nursing. Kim is an equal opportunity host, bloggers don't have to be nurses (or wear white caps) in order to contribute.

I rarely hear doctors or other medical professionals speak of their roles as a calling, but I often hear that phrase from nurses. We need doctors; they oversee and direct our care; but we need nurses to provide the capable, compassionate application of that care.

Modern hospitals are all about "patient satisfaction." The myriad of surveys and reports they produce on the topic is proof. I absolutely believe that nurses, more than any other single component, determine a hospital's patient satisfaction score.

Not an easy job caring for people who are in pain, frightened, and generally not at their best. Perhaps even more challenging is coping with angry, impatient, scared-out-of-their-minds, family members. Nurses do that. Bless them!

Then there are the physicial requirements.

I work in a hospital as a "paper-pusher." I sincerely believe that the paper I push is important to the bottom line success of my institution and the safe, quality care of patients, otherwise I'd look for another line of work. That having been said, under physical requirements my job description says "must be able to lift 15 pounds." My job is unlikely to give me back strain, unless it's from sitting too long. (Eye-strain from staring at a computer screen yes, but probably not back strain.)

Nurses work hard, both physically and emotionally. They really look forward to change of shift. Now the rest of us can too.

Stop by Emergiblog and peruse the offerings at Change of Shift 1.1. They'll make you smile, bring a tear to your eye, and make you glad that good people receive "the call" of nursing.

Changeofshift