This article was originally published on Calling All Nurses – Many registered nurses find themselves being their biggest cheerleaders as they work diligently in protecting their patients from harm, empowering their patients and their family members with necessary education, and selflessly meeting all of their patients’ needs that otherwise would go unmet.
In our attempt to celebrate the positive aspects of nursing, and to highlight what drives registered nurses to compassionately care for those within our nursing communities, we often share inspirational quotes from RNs with our colleagues and those who advocate for the recognition that RNs and every nurse practitioner deserves.
In this quarterly series, you will find inspirational quotes from registered nurses of diverse backgrounds and experience levels. I hope that their words will help to inspire, energize, and ignite your passion to join us in our mission to maintain nursing excellence in the delivery of patient care.
“I became a nurse because I wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of strangers. Ease their pain. Calm their minds. Provide a sense of understanding in what can be a convoluted situation. I became a nurse over 30 years ago, and I have yet to be disappointed.” —Oncology Nurse of 30+ years experience
“The things that I am most afraid of as a nurse include: making a mistake that causes the patient harm, not being available for my patients when they need me most, and allowing stress to interfere with my ability to provide quality care. Each day thus far has been a victory, and I will continue to pray that it stays this way.” —Progressive Care Nurse of 1+ years experience.
“When I am asked to describe how I enjoy being a Registered Nurse, I find it somewhat difficult to find the words. So instead, I simply reach out to the inquirer and hold their hand as if they were my patient. Then I see the light in their eyes as the answer to their question becomes clear.” —Medical Surgical Nurse of 5+ years experience
“Nursing is a commitment to doing whatever it takes to provide safe and effective care for our patients regardless of personal gain. It is never considered a loss when we miss our lunch break, or experience discomfort from holding our bladders too long. What is unfortunate is that people in many other professions may never get the opportunity to feel what it is like to positively impact the lives of people in the ways that RNs do. I believe that this in itself is the greatest form of compensation.” —Critical Care Nurse with 10+ years experience
“When the day is long, and sweat drips from my brow, I pray for the strength to get the job done. When my head spins, and my feet swiftly step, I pray for the endurance to get the job done. When the tasks pile up, and the demands seem to never cease, I pray for the agility to get the job done. But when my hand holds the hand of someone in need, and my compassionate care soothes their anxieties, I know in that moment that my prayers have been answered.” —Medical Surgical Nurse with 6+ years experience
“I used to wonder what it would be like to be a doctor…make more money, be able to diagnose and prescribe treatments independently, gain the respect from others based on my academic and professional achievements…but then I remembered one very important thing: I didn’t need to become a doctor to do that. Now I am a Nurse Practitioner who has the best of both worlds!” —Nurse Practitioner with 11+ years of experience
“Just a nurse…Yes, it is true. I am just a nurse. A nurse that has protected thousands of patients from harm. A nurse that advocates for the rights and available resources for my patients and their families. A nurse that saves someone’s life nearly every single day. A nurse that empowers people with the education necessary to independently manage their health. So yeah, I am just a nurse. What’s your superpower?” —Critical Care RN of 25 years
“Caring for people in any capacity is complex, multifaceted, and always interesting. Nursing brings forth an entirely new set challenges that always keeps me invested in learning how to become better at my job each day. So far, I am in love with being a Registered Nurse.” —Long Term Care RN of 1+ year
“We practice selfless devotion for our patients and their families. Often times we miss out on a lunch break and we hold our bladders until we cannot any longer. As RNs, we always put our patients’ needs before our own. We are nurses—earthbound angels for those who need us.” —Oncology RN of 20 years
I hope that you found inspiration within the words of the many nurses who have contributed to this blog! Feel free to share your inspiring quotes and you will be featured in an upcoming article!
Best Wishes!
-Damion
