As a nurse, we take care of patients every day. But when we ourselves become family members of patients, what different feelings and insights will we have? Next, I will share with you a personal experience of mine.
Before starting today's sharing, I'd like to talk about our daily work with you. Over the years, we have been shuttling through the familiar hallway of the ward every day, witnessing various moments of life. We have become accustomed to this pace, until a special experience gave me a new insight into this day-to-day care.
01 Identity reversal: Shedding the white coat, understanding the helpless anxiety of family members
In our daily work, we are accustomed to wearing nurse uniforms and assessing patients' conditions and performing procedures with a professional perspective. We are problem solvers. But one day, when I took off my nurse uniform and sat outside the ward as a family member, watching my loved one lying in bed, the helplessness and anxiety I felt were unlike anything I had ever experienced.
This unique "transposition experience" has given me a whole new perspective on nursing work. It has made me understand that nursing is not just about executing techniques, but also about emotional connection.
The protagonists of the story are my neighbors, my grandparents. Grandma has been a frequent patient in our department, while Grandpa suffers from Alzheimer's disease. His world is becoming increasingly blurry, but the only thing that remains clear is his concern for Grandma. He insists on personally accompanying and caring for her, and this deep affection is touching and sets the stage for the subsequent difficulties.
An emergency hospitalization of Grandma exposed the fragility of the family. The unfamiliar environment caused Grandpa's condition to deteriorate rapidly. He began wandering aimlessly in the hallway and even started urinating everywhere.
At that moment, I felt immense shame and self-blame. As a nurse, I was acutely aware of the burden this had placed on my colleagues in the department; but as a granddaughter, watching my grandfather's painful and confused expression, I felt a deep sense of helplessness.
In those few days, I apologized to my colleagues countless times, filled with guilt and embarrassment.
02 Gentleness and Tolerance: Small Acts of Kindness to Ease Embarrassment and Guilt in Difficult Situations
To my surprise, my colleagues exhibited an extraordinary level of tolerance. They turned a blind eye to my grandfather's "troubles" and replaced them with boundless patience. No matter how many times my grandfather got lost, they would always gently bring him back at the first opportunity. This uncomplaining action, like a warm current, instantly alleviated the guilt in my heart.
To fundamentally solve the problem, the sisters spontaneously made a special doorplate. This doorplate is not just a sign, it is more like a lamp, guiding the lost grandfather towards home. This small act, embodying everyone's full wisdom and love, has become the warmest memory of my experience.
This understanding extended into the wee hours of the night. To care for my grandfather, family members slept at the entrance of the ward, which caused a lot of inconvenience to our night shift work. But my colleagues did not complain at all, just working silently and softly. This silent understanding is more powerful than any words, and it truly embodies the inclusiveness and understanding of nursing.
03 Warmth in the Heart: Empathy Transmission, Infusing Care with Inherent Warmth and Strength
This experience completely reshaped my perception. I once thought that the core of nursing was technology and process. But now I understand that what is more important than technology is empathy and inclusiveness. It is the gentleness and kindness that can still be maintained in the face of all troubles and loss of control. This kind of strength can only be truly felt when you are in it.
This experience has deepened my love and respect for my profession. The warmth I have received from my colleagues has become my driving force. I aspire to become someone like them, to pass on the kindness I have received and to warm the hearts of more people in need.
Finally, I want to share this sentence: "Nursing has warmth, life has light; with kindness in our hearts, every step is like warm sunshine." May we all harbor kindness, empower with love, and let the warmth of nursing illuminate every life.
Article/Speech: Jicai Rely
Editor: Zhang Huana
First instance: Huang Guifang
Second instance: Jiang Bei