On the 12th May each year my timelines on social media, texts, and emails explode with greetings gladly shared between nurses and our colleagues in other roles. It’s the birthdate of Florence Nightingale so a fitting time to reflect.
Today at Milton Keynes University Hospital we were encouraged to share highlights from our careers with other nurses, particularly those we may not know. This has led to many memories flooding back for me. Over 40 years qualified I’ve had many inspirational nurse colleagues, too many to identify individually, and fortunately only one or two that I’d rather not recall. So here’s a some lines to express my thoughts today.
Nursing life, and death,
have been my lot to be part of.
With love and fire, warmth and damper eyes
Each day remains its own.
Nursing, my family, my tribe
Making differences for those around us.
Nursing, in times of conflict and in peace,
Demands sacrifice and lives, given without expectation of reply.
Nursing, leaves its mark and life long imprint
The way to be, and always will be.
