The World Of Tzu Chi December 2019 (Vol.117)

TZU CHI 117 53 Unexpectedly, he held my hands in his. Tears welled up in his eyes as he said, “Thank you, nurse. I’m sorry for raising my voice at you. I should have trusted you, but I underestimated your ability as you look so young. Thank you!” My heart melted at that instant. Holding back my tears, I comforted him, “It’s all right. I’m happy as long as you’re getting better.” He patted my hands gently and I smiled reassuringly in return. My colleagues, worried that I might be reprimanded by him again, hurried over and signaled for me to move on to another patient. Before leaving, I whispered to him softly, “Don’t worry. Your health is the most important. Take care!” and bade him goodnight. On my way home, I reflected on my hectic day and the interactions I shared with the elderly patient. The key to successfully draining the patient’s phlegm was not exceptional skill, but earning the patient’s trust and cooperation. Deep down inside my heart, I am grateful to the elderly patient for his heart-warming gesture – a timely reminder to us nursing staff of the importance of taking the time to listen to our patients. Nursing as life’s calling The overwhelming workload and pressure faced by nurses are probably unbeknownst to those outside the healthcare profession. Yet, our wisdom grows with every challenge that comes with the job. The experience accumulated along the way has taught me to serve patients with compassion and exercise better judgment. The compliments I have received from my patients and their families spur me to stay mindful in my line of work. I am thankful to my patients for being my source of inspiration and motivation, and grateful to be presented with plenty of opportunities for personal development. I confess to be as flawed as anyone else, yet I have discovered that my seemingly insignificant efforts mean a lot to my patients. The world is imperfect as it is, yet I tell myself that all is not lost. I would remind myself time and again to keep my passion for the nursing vocation alive and not lose sight ofmy initial aspirations, besides keeping my heart open to embrace everyone that I encounter in life. The nursing profession is more than attending to our patients’ health and needs; it is also about touching lives. Just as compassion is universal, the love and care provided by nurses has no boundaries. Every day, we meet patients from different backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities, each of whom has a fascinating story waiting to be told. I have gained a deeper understanding of the concept of “humanistic medicine” at the TIMA annual convention last year. Although not every nurse is capable of being a faultless “angel in white”, providing compassionate care in nursing is always possible. Lastly, I want to say that our society thrives on the values of empathy, kindness and gratitude, hence every act of compassion counts. Any words of encouragement from patients will definitely boost our morale and keep us going. Pua Xin Hui • Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse • TIMA member