A Nurse’s Monologue

Dear Patient,
I would like to take care of you in the best possible way I can; in the same way, I would like to be taken care of if the circumstances were the other way around. I am willing to be your companion when the visitors have left and you are all alone. It would be my privilege to be your guardian angel during your times of hardship and distress. But please remember that I am also human. If you can get sick, grow tired, lose your patience, and feel depressed, so can I. I make mistakes, I admit. I sometimes forget to give you your medicine on time. I often forget to ask you how you are doing.I may not be able to come back when you ask me to get you something. Other times I lose my patience. For these lapses I truly am sorry.

I may not be able to come back when you ask me to get you something. Other times I lose my patience. For these lapses I truly am sorry. I would just like to remind you of a few things. I clean you up when you wet yourself, poop yourself, vomit or make a mess but I am not your housemaid. I do things for you, hand you things when you can’t reach them and assist you per need but I am not your personal assistant. I am a professional and you probably are too. Respect me as equally as I respect you.

I would just like to remind you of a few things. I clean you up when you wet yourself, poop yourself, vomit or make a mess but I am not your housemaid. I do things for you, hand you things when you can’t reach them and assist you per need but I am not your personal assistant. I am a professional and you probably are too. Respect me as equally as I respect you.

You are not well, I know that, and so sometimes you forget your manners. Shout at me, I will take care of you. Throw things at me, I will take care of you. Spit on my face, I will take care of you. Call me names and damn me to hell, I will still take care of you. Do you know why I do? Because I was educated to understand your situation. I don’t need much from you. A few simple things suffice. I warm smile lightens up the mood; a gentle “please” makes the job easier; and, a heartfelt “thank you” takes away exhaustion. And, when you get well I’d wish you would never come back. I’d rather never see you again than to have you in the same situation.

I don’t need much from you. A few simple things suffice. I warm smile lightens up the mood; a gentle “please” makes the job easier; and, a heartfelt “thank you” takes away exhaustion. And, when you get well I’d wish you would never come back. I’d rather never see you again than to have you in the same situation. Of course, I will always wish you well. And as I give my attention to the next human being in need, I hope that in that fraction of infinity the universe permitted our lives to diverge, I was able to place a mark, however minute, in your finite existence as you have mine.

Of course, I will always wish you well. And as I give my attention to the next human being in need, I hope that in that fraction of infinity the universe permitted our lives to diverge, I was able to place a mark, however minute, in your finite existence as you have mine. Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Your Nurse

Malu Julienne Alferez, RN