INSPIRATIONS

We never know what words will inspire, change the direction of a life, or create wonderful new options.
It is rare that you take time to look back and see what inspired you. This blog is a place that I can take time to do just that.  You may have asked nurses what made you want to be a nurse?  Their answer if frequently very short, for fear that they may bore you.  In a blog, you should be prepared to be bored, suffer through minutia and generally take time to contemplate.  

There are a number of POSITIVE inspirations, influences, and motivations that have driven my career.

There are many words that have influenced me and created SIGNIFICANT EMOTIONAL EVENTS for me.  I learned of SEE'S from one of my favorite theorists in human behavior, MORRIS MASSEY. He  has influenced me greatly and the work he has done has stood the test of time for me.  

These six sayings that had an impact on me and that provided significant emotional events.

#1  "IF YOU HAVE DONE IT TO THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU HAVE DONE IT TO ME".          DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.

#2   ABOU BEN ADHEM

#3   "GATHER YOUR ROSEBUDS WHILE YOU MAY"

#4  "TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE"

#5   "THE HOTTEST PLACES IN HELL ARE RESERVED FOR THOSE WHO, IN TIMES OF         GREAT MORAL CRISIS, MAINTAIN THEIR NEUTRALITY."

#6   A RITUAL: FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE PLEDGE

#7   A RITUAL: A CHARGE TO KEEP 

#1

"IF YOU HAVE DONE IT TO THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU HAVE DONE IT TO ME".

"DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU."

I grew up in a family that had strong and profound faith.  That is not to say that we were in church when the doors opened, we were not.  Did we read the Bible every day?  No.  It is not to say we prayed a lot.  We said our mealtime prayers, our bedtime prayers, and when there were big events in the family.  The Bible was not always held out to be taken very literally.  HOWEVER, if there was a person who came to our home they were treated with utmost respect.  People were not talked about in a negative way.  If anyone needed anything, because they were our fellow-man we did anything we could for them.  I watched this practiced day in and day out.  

NURSING is just that.  My favorite definition is the one THELMA INGALLS taught us that first year at DUKE. I learned that nursing were those who did for others , what they would do for themselves if they were able.  Later, Virginia Henderson published a definition that was so much more eloquent.  "The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge" 

I have always found that keeping that definition as the basis of practice meant some profound things. 

Fast forward to my time as a nurse surveyor for JOINT COMMISSION (JCAHO). Much comes together with this little anecdote:  I will never forget surveying a very prestigious hospital.  I was a seasoned surveyor and was a member of what was referred to as the "A" team which usually surveyed large organizations and medical school affiliated facilities.  The process for survey called for the nurse surveyor to choose a patient randomly from the Kardex of a nursing unit.  There would be a visit to the patients bedside at which time the care plan would be compared to care given.  This was done through observation, interview with the patient and interview of patient care staff at all levels. The patient I choose was an older black woman, maybe 60, and she had been in the hospital well over a month.  She had been brought in unresponsive, with deep leg ulcers infested with maggots and cockroach eggs. Rat droppings were in her clothing.  Both legs had been amputated shortly after admission.  

I went into the room to talk with her.  She was certainly not an educated woman, but she communicated openly and clearly.  She was very grateful.  As I talked to her, my eyes were drawn to her head.  I asked when she had been given a shampoo.  Her answer was astounding.  She had not been able to wash her own head for over five years.  Since her surgery she felt better than she had in all those years.  

She had not had her head shampooed since she was admitted.  ....." those who did for others , what they would do for themselves if they were able. "  Not one nurse in this very prestigious hospital had thought to wash her hair. The hair under her arms and her peritoneal area had the same lack of attention.  It would seem to me if you have vermin in your leg ulcers, you certainly would in long and very matted hair.  Not a physician, not a nurse, no one had looked into what was growing in her hair.  I can assure you that before the day had ended, that this woman had been given one of the best baths and shampoos that could be provided. Actually her hair had to be shaved and there were open sores found. They had been confused as to why she kept having a low grade fever. This hospital had an infection control practitioner in a major national leadership position. You can also rest assured that the Board of Directors, Medical Staff, Administrative Staff and others were clearly aware of the level of care being delivered as was the Central Office for JCAHO.  I thought of that woman, mother, and valuable human being and her care for weeks, months and now it has been years.

Closing your eyes to the obvious.  Doing the minimal.  This is not what "doing it to the least of these" or "do unto others really means.  

I have often though of my first clinical instructor, LOIS KNOWLES would have done if we had left a patient in this condition for an hour, much less more than a month.  I would not be a DUKE NURSE and am sure I would not have spent another night in Hanes House.