Why are you still standing?

As we celebrate nurses’ week, we pay tribute to Florence Nightingale, the mother of nursing who believed nursing was her divine calling, and she devoted her life to the entire nursing profession.

The “Lady of the Lamp”, as she was famously known, worked tirelessly to serve those injured during the Crimean war, and she inspired others to do the same. She became an icon in the nursing profession.

I want to ask all nurses, despite their positions, why they are still nurses? I want all of us to do an introspection of what we bring to the table of the nursing profession.

And after critical reflection, I wish all nurses can set up realistic goals on what they will do to ensure that they dedicate their lives and serve like the Lady of the Lamp.

As a nursing educator, one of the questions I ask firstyear nursing students is: what motivates them to be nurses, and their responses vary.

Unfortunately for some students, their motivation is materialistic, such as the nursing uniform, paycheque, nice car, etc. Others are inspired by distinguished role models in nursing, as well as the desire to take care of the ill.

For a person who has never been in a hospital, nursing might seem easy, or to think what nurses do is simple work.

They have no idea that nurses perform basic care to ensure the physiological and other needs of the patients are met, and that patients are comfortable. These roles include ensuring patients leave this world in dignity and the nursing is rendered with love, compassion, respect and dignity.

Sadly, some students quit before the completion of the nursing course because they cannot keep up with the demands of the career. And I do not blame those who quit early because they are being true to themselves. Nursing is more than a uniform, a nice paycheque and a beautiful car.

The purpose of this article is not to explain what happens in the hospitals, but rather to ask all nurses: why are they still standing? If you are a manager, are you ensuring that you are motivating those around you to excel in their roles? Are you delegating according to the knowledge and expertise of your subordinates, considering the various needs of your patients? For the nurses responsible for policymaking, how are you advocating for the patients and the nurses?

Are the policies that you are drafting in the best interest of the population? How are you ensuring that high standards of care are being provided? What actions are being taken to ensure that those who are not adhering to the norms and conducts of the profession are held accountable?

To the nurses rendering bedside nursing: are you making a positive difference in your patients’ lives, or are you the ones contributing to their prolonged stay in the hospital by not adhering to standard precautions? Are you a source of joy or depression to your patients and colleagues? Are you constantly studying to improve your knowledge and skills, or have you resorted to doing things the old way, even if scientific evidence does not support your actions? How are you advocating for your patients?

To the nurses who are working at primary healthcare: are you ensuring timely service, proper assessment and referral to the next level of care? Are you promoting health and preventing illnesses by educating the community and giving the right information? Do you think the services you are rendering to the community are according to the set standards?

Nursing educators: Are you ensuring that the knowledge you are passing on is accurate, contemporary and that students are taught accordingly? Are you challenging them to think critically and be innovative in clinical practice? Are procedures you are preparing them for aligned to the world of work, or are they outdated? How about challenging them to become researchers and publish evidence-based studies that can help improve the practice of nursing? The list is endless, and I hope you understand where I am going.

As we wrap up the nurses’ week celebration, may we reignite our lamps and start afresh. We should desire to be like the Lady of the Lamp, who continued to look for ways to improve the lives of those she served. Let us continue to learn and upgrade our professional skills and render quality care that is backed up by scientific knowledge.

Lastly, may we continue to serve with love, passion, commitment, respect, compassion and a great smile with a touching hand for it is indeed the little things that matter the most and are priceless.

Happy nurses’ week, folks. Thank you for all you do and all that you will continue to do. May we make nursing a distinguished career again. Remember: “They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel” : Maya Angelou.