Based on our own life experiences we are all heroes. I think of my life being similar to a novel. I am the only one who can write my story. No one else has walked in your shoes, had the same life experiences as you or viewed them in the same way as you have. So there is no one better than you to write your own story.
It is difficult to pinpoint a single situation or interaction which has been monumental in keeping me doing what I am doing. In my 42 years as a nurse, there have been so many. It started out with this being the career that was “expected of me” by my family. Somewhere during Nurses Training I just knew this was the career path I was meant to follow.
There has been:
- sheer terror when I have been in a critical situation – multiple system injuries with ortho, general, ENT surgeons working simultaneously, anesthesia giving blood with one circulator and one scrub during the middle of the night
- anger when an abused child cannot be saved no matter how hard we tried
- heartbreak holding your 6 yr olds classmate while he draws his last breath and his parents could not handle being in the room,
- joy when you celebrate the birth of a baby to parents who thought they would never be able to conceive
- sadness being the OR nurse during a surgery where you find metastatic cancer on one of your colleagues
- satisfaction of being by a patients side from diagnosis of breast cancer thru reconstruction and beyond her five-year mark of survival
- Amazement and laughter when my children upon finding out they all need immunizations start crying and begging “Can mommy give us our shots? She gives the best shots ”
- pride in having medical assisting students I’ve taught go on the be nurses and PA’s
- deep appreciation for colleagues who always have your back no matter what
- frustration with the challenges of changes happening in healthcare today
- gratitude to being able to end my career with a supportive administrative team
- extreme gratitude and fulfillment for the amazing team of staff I have the privilege to guide and mentor as my career comes to an end.
Throughout the joy, tears, fears, frustrations I have an amazing sense of joyful well-being, peace, and pride in knowing what I have given has made a difference day in and day out.
What I have given pales in comparison to what I have received.
With Gratitude,
Carolyn Reisnour, RN
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