Day, evening, night. Weekdays or weekends. After 8, 12, or 16 hours, they’re always there. I could be talking about firefighters, police officers, or paramedics. But today, I want to talk about nurses, nursing assistants, patient care aides, housekeeping staff, and kitchen staff.
All those people you run into when you walk into a hospital. Everyone has been to a hospital at some point—whether for yourself, your spouse, your children, your grandmother, a friend, or a brother or sister. And everyone’s experience there is different.
Today, I want to talk to you about the positive side. About those people who work with a smile. Like that nurse who was forced to work mandatory overtime. The one who was tired, who wanted to see her children and her spouse. The one who’ll end up working a total of 16 hours. The one who can’t afford to make a mistake despite her fatigue and frustration at not seeing her family. The one who’ll walk into your room with a big smile to check your vital signs. The one who’ll make you feel safe.
That patient care assistant who just had insults shouted at her by a patient. The one who washed Mr. X’s private parts. The one who just took Mrs. Y to the bathroom. The one who will listen to you vent your troubles, despite her lack of time. The one who will smile at you as she gently takes you to the bathroom.
That nursing assistant who works a seventh “overtime shift” to spare her colleagues from having to stay late. The one who cried in her bath yesterday thinking about her night shift. The one who will gently wake you up in the wee hours of the morning to draw your blood. The one who’s exhausted but still smiles as she takes the time to ask if you slept well.
That janitor who sings while cleaning up blood, urine, and everything else. The one who always wishes you a nice day.
Those kitchen staff who try to cook something edible for a huge crowd on a ridiculous budget, without being allowed to add salt. These people who get criticized because their food is plain. These people—they cook for you. To help you eat and get better.
I’m thinking of all those people who take care of you or your family, who smile despite their difficult working conditions. These workers who show up for work day after day, unable to hide behind a desk because they’re completely exhausted. These men and women who don’t judge you and who help you heal better.
To all these people, I want to say thank you. Thank you for still wanting to help. Thank you for still smiling. Thank you for caring about us. Thank you for making our stay a little easier. No one likes being hospitalized or seeing a family member hospitalized. But thanks to you, these moments are a little less painful.