"They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel."

This quote by the brillant Maya Angelou is one of my favorites:

"They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel. "

I am extremely lucky to be able to do what I love. I complain sometimes, but at the end of the day... I do truely love being a nurse.
I remember the moment (as most nurses do) that I decided I wanted to be a nurse. I was in junior high and had NEVER stepped foot in a hospital. My cousin Steven was in the children's hospital in Syracuse and after weeks of him being there, we were allowed to go visit. I stepped on that pedatric unit and was completely shocked by what I saw. I was literally scared. Steven (IV pole and all) ran right up to me and gave me the biggest hug... I think he saw that I was just a little bit frightened. So there we were, my 7 year old cousin... comforting 14 year old me. That's when I knew... 2 things. One... I was going to be a nurse. I wanted to be the one doing the comforting and Two... I would never be able to work with sick children.
Steven lost his battle to cancer... as way to many children do. I am proud to say that I am his family and he was and still is one of the most influencial people in my life. He reminds me everyday why I do what I do and I am so lucky to have him watching over me.

As nurses we get stressed, yelled at, overworked, under appreciated and lots of other gross things not worth mentioning. We come to work everyday to save lives and nurse our patients back to health, not for the money... but because we love it.
For me, it all becomes completely worth it when that one patient says those magic words.... thank you!
So today... do me a favor. Find your favorite nurse and let those magic words fly. They really do make our day!

To all my fellow nurses... Thank you!!!!

Peace and Love!

Mish