Just a Little Love Note

To My Fellow Nurses,

I have struggled for a few days to decide what to write to you all, in celebration of National Nurses Week. It seems silly that the only way most of us know each other is through what I have had to say about our profession, yet when it comes time to address it I find myself suddenly without words. (A rare and concerning state for me.) So instead of struggling to write a typical post, which I worry will come out forced or uninspired, I will simply say this.

Thank You.

Thank you for what you do for our patients. For healing along side me. For assessing, educating, and caring. For advocating for those you care for, as well as those with whom you work.

More importantly though, for today, I am going to be selfish and say thank you for what you have done for me. With every comment and response to a post I have written, with every email, Facebook share, or Tweet you have validated my feelings and allowed me to continue loving what I do. In the times that I have felt ready to give up and move on, I have been comforted to know that I am not alone. When I have felt guilty for my burnout and disenchantment you have reminded me that it is ok. You have revived me and sent me back to work with a reignited passion for what we do.

Without you, I would not be the nurse I am.

To the nurses in my life; you have laughed with me and at me, cried with me, yelled at me, advocated for me, taught me, trained me, showered me with love, comforted me, protected me, and pushed me. You have filled my life with joy and I cannot imagine finding that combination anywhere else.

To the nurses that I do not know personally, I find comfort in knowing that you have done each of these things for someone you work alongside, and they for you.

Everything I have written about I have learned from the nurses I watch and work alongside. They may be my words, but they are not my stories, my feelings, they are ours.

With an abundance of love, admiration, and appreciation,

Happy Nurses Week,

Kateri L. Allard RN, BSN

A well educated, effectively communicating, fiercely advocating nurse is a powerful thing. There is nothing “Just” about that.