No, Ms. Ray, I'm Not Thankful to Have a Job

No, Ms Ray, I am Not Lucky to Have a Job!

No, Ms. Ray, I am not lucky to have a job. I have dedicated my career to the care of others in need. I have been a nurse for almost 30 years, a critical care nurse for greater than 28 years, 12 of which were spent serving as a flight nurse. I have held the tiniest of hearts and the most aged of hands both with the utmost of care. No Ms. Ray I am not lucky to have a job.

I have cared for the sickest patients imaginable and my heart overflows with the care and comfort that I have given them and their families. I flew the one of the youngest heart recipients ever into Tucson to receive his heart and one year later I flew him back when he was dying. I have cared for trauma children with their brain matter on the outside of their heads and adults with missing limbs. I have cared for patients that will “never survive” and yet somehow they did. I have an endless barrage of stories of patients and families, some sad, some funny, and some too horrible to repeat. No, Ms. Ray, I am not lucky to have a job.

I have spent more nights without dinner or even a bathroom break than I can even remember. I have left my own child to care for the children of others. I have spent more holidays with fellow nurses than my own family. No Ms. Ray I am not lucky to have a job.

Oh and just for the record, should we both find ourselves unemployed tomorrow, I have an endless supply of jobs waiting; however you on the other hand would be lucky to find a job.

« Back to the Journal of Nursing

© 2000-2018 RN-Journal.com // Times Publishing, LLC
Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service Information, articles, Press Releases, videos, and links are published as a convenience to our visitors. Articles are to be used only as a reference aid. They are not intended to be used as a substitute for the exercise of professional judgment. Any questions or comments about the article should be directed to the author. We take no responsibility and give no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy.