A thank you letter to nurses everywhere

You are the caregivers, communicators, patient advocates and decision makers. You are the hand-holders, the voice-of-reason, the 3 a.m. vitals-checkers. You become the around-the-clock best friend by the bedside, the calming voice, the familiar face full of compassion.

To many, you are guardian angels.

As a nurse, you play a very important role in the health care system. Oftentimes, you might be the first interaction a patient has when they enter a hospital or clinic.

Imagine a time you’ve started an IV and a patient becomes unresponsive. You handle this unpredictable chaos with the utmost agility, grace and professionalism. Nurses possess strength and accuracy to navigate rough waters during medical emergencies.

But even those who provide the most compassionate care can have bad days too. Some days may seem physically exhausting and emotionally draining, but you let these difficulties be outweighed by the satisfaction of knowing that you play a pivotal role in the healing process.

Nursing is a cognitively demanding profession where the task of care-taking is a rewarding challenge. Nurses go through some of the most intimate moments with people from all walks of life, and it is from these experiences that one develops an altruism towards humankind.

Nursing is a passion for those filled with compassion.

Two little words you may not hear every day are the appreciative and resounding words, “Thank you”.

Thank you for being on the front lines of care. Thank you for your kindness, dedication and healing touch. Thank you for always putting your patients first no matter how grueling your day. We thank you for providing an empathetic ear and compassionate hand when a life-changing diagnosis is delivered. We thank you for being a rock when waters get rough and we’re fighting for our lives.

Although the two words aren’t voiced often enough, they should be.