The last couple weeks, I’ve really been thinking about this video clip from “The View” in which two women hosting the show share a few quick, unfiltered comments about the nursing uniform worn onstage by Miss Colorado in the Miss America contest.
It has taken me a few days to gather my thoughts, but I finally realized what had me unsettled.You see, these condescending comments shared publicly to a {very} large audience focused mainly on the nursing attire, her scrubs, her “doctor stethoscope” – all part of Miss Colorado’s outward appearance. That made me start thinking about nursing in general and the many “outfits” we may wear. For example, in my decade of nursing in some form or fashion, I’ve worn scrubs, my Army uniform and combat boots, and now business casual attire. Oddly enough though, the same heart that brought me into nursing wearing scrubs is the same heart that wakes me up in the morning today to put on my cardigan and pumps. You see, it’s not about the scrubs or the stethoscope or any outward feature that defines our profession, but the heart that you can’t see underneath all of that. I believe Miss Colorado was attempting to show America her gift, her talent, and sometimes a lost art: the act of truly caring for another human being.
Miss Colorado’s story made me reminisce on some of my own favorite nursing stories and it inspired me to share one of my own with you as a giant step towards continuing to run with the torch Miss Colorado lit on the stage of the Miss America Pageant – to focus on the one talent that I believe can change the world: loving and caring for another person. As many of you know I was an Army Nurse Corps Officer right out of college. Below, is one of the stories I shared first over 6 years ago, one my first nursing experiences, and the reason why I wear my “doctor stethoscope.”
My day started with a patient coming on a plane from Iraq. For all intensive purposes, we’ll call him Jack. He was a 22 year old Infantry soldier who had his left leg blown off from an IED blast the day before. When he arrived, he had a tube helping him to breathe. Unfortunately he was awake with this tube, making him VERY uncomfortable. We bonded almost instantly because I was attempting to make him a little more comfortable. Because he couldn’t talk, I held paper for him to write what he needed from me. This was the FIRST time he had been awake since the explosion, so answering his questions proved to be extremely difficult and painful for both of us. The first question he wrote to me was, “how much of my leg did I lose?” The questions to follow included, “do my parents know?” and “where am I?” I knew this was going to be a VERY emotionally challenging day, but I felt prepared and ready. After the tube in his mouth came out, he was able to talk and he immediately began explaining the accident to me in full detail. He had a great sense of humor, and although was tearful throughout some parts of his story, was able to joke and laugh with me at times.
One of the hardest parts of the day came when the Department of the Army called and wanted a status update on the patient. As I answered the phone, I was shaky – but the guy on the other end was calm and asked me simple questions about Jack. Then, when I thought I was finished talking with him, I faced one of the hardest moments of the day, and honestly – in my life. The man on the line said, “I have Jack’s mother and father on the phone with me right now. Can you talk to them about their son?” I was so nervous, I was holding back tears. I was going to have to be the first person to tell them about the condition of their son, who is the same age as me…All I could think about was if MY parents were on the other end of the line. Thankfully, God blessed me with the words and the courage to make it through the conversation.
Afterwards, I went to Jack and told him his parents were on the phone. His eyes welled up, and he told me he wasn’t ready to talk…I held his hand until he was able to begin forming words and stayed with him as he told his parents the story NO mom or dad EVER wants to hear. As he cried, I just sat by his side and wiped away the tears gently, as his face was burnt from the fire and flash of the explosion. Throughout the day, we chatted and talked about his past, present, military career, and what he plans to do in the future. He kept such a positive attitude and was SUCH a champ as doctors came in to the room to prod and check his leg; not to mention all the assessments I was constantly doing. At the end of the day, as I was about to leave – he asked if he could e-mail me about his progress at Walter Reed with a prosthetic, etc. I said of course – and then turned to leave. He grabbed my hand and said, “THANK YOU MA’AM.” I turned back to him and said the same thing back, emphasizing how much HE had given already. I don’t tell you this story to make you feel sorry for me or him or to make you worry or to make you sad or sympathetic. I tell you this to share with you why I’m an Army nurse. People like HIM are why I joined the Army and soldiers like Jack are why I will continue loving my job.
If you are a nurse or know a nurse, encourage them to #shareanursingstory with the world! We have an incredible calling. What a beautiful opportunity we have been given by Miss Colorado and The View – to share how we get to bless and be blessed in the meantime!