We lock eyes as the next song starts
playing. Patty Loveless greets us with her
classic "How Can I Help You Say
Goodbye?" (osmag.net/TMasP3). We
begin to cry together. We both know the
lyrics, both intimately understand the pain of loss. We connect and
cry together. I squeeze her hand and she squeezes mine. We share a
carative factor. We are "authentically" present in that moment in time.
We sing the song, we feel the pain, we share the loss and we let go
together.
This is patient-centered care. Really connecting with the patient and
meeting them where they are. Understanding their feelings and needs,
both spoken and unspoken. The National Academies of Science,
Engineering and Medicine list this as a top competency for healthcare
professionals. Respect for dignity and a beneficence toward my
patients I recall from the ANA Code of Ethics. I have an accountabili-
ty to be the best nurse I am capable of for every patient every day.
Being perfectly human
My initial thoughts regarding Susan were judgmental, short-sighted
and assumptive. I was wrong. Susan helped me more than I helped
her. She helped me deal with the pain of losing my friend, helped me
let go by helping her. But being a nurse is not about being perfect. It's
about being perfectly human. I am so thankful to be blessed to be a
nurse. Being caring, compassionate and being genuinely present takes
much energy and effort. Oftentimes it doesn't come easy, but most
things in this life as a nurse worth doing don't come easy. Otherwise
there would never be a shortage of nurses.
OSM
Ms. Ross (angela.ross@atriumhealth.org) is a PACU nurse at Atrium
Health-Mercy in Charlotte, N.C.
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 3
"Being a nurse is not
about being perfect.
It's about being
perfectly human."
