Be The Miracle

That's me there second one in from the right. I was the 2nd Staff Nurse President at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, IL. I served as President several years ago (more like 10 actually), but this photo was taken recently and sent to me from a close friend. It still hangs in the hallway of the hospital for all to see - a glorious wall dedicated to the nurses of MacNeal who took up the charge and took on the title, Staff Nurse President.

This picture takes me back and reminds me about how much and for how long I have dedicated myself to giving a voice to fellow nurses and caregivers. I continue to be extremely committed to my fellow healers and am eager to give them a voice and a commendation for all the work that they do each day. I even want to help them burn brighter and not out by offering opportunities for them to recharge their batteries. However, that's a story for another day.

This past week, I had the opportunity to connect with fellow nurse leaders throughout California at our annual Association of California Nurse Leaders conference. This year brings a celebration for this group as they began 40 years ago. As this is an amazing milestone, we had a number of wonderful events including a celebration of ACNL's past and current presidents, most of whom are still going strong as nurse advocates. It was a superb honor to have been among them and be able to learn from all they have done. I was humbled by many of the paths they've forged and journeys they have undertaken.

At the closing session, we heard a passionate plea from a mother who had a very challenging time obtaining the care she desperately needed for her ailing child. I was horrified at the many encounters she had with medical personnel including nurses throughout her several year journey. Of course, she had amazing nurses too, but there were also more than you'd like who succumbed to busyness and lack of meaningful connection or just plain forgot about their listening and empathy skills.

I share this as a plea for all of us to take a deep breath and listen more. Make a connection. Don't ever assume you know what's going on because it feels routine for you. This mother has an expression about sometimes when you hear hoof beats it really is a zebra not a horse. I like that. I also had the opportunity to speak with her and have her sign a copy of her book for me. In it she wrote simply, "Be the Miracle".

What an amazing sentiment. It isn't chastising nor was she really. She was disappointed and incredibly frustrated but she mostly came across to me as a passionate individual who just wants to make sure that healers remember that no matter how busy we might be or how bad our day might be going that for our patients and families of those patients, we are likely meeting them on their absolute worst day.

So just as she wrote and asked me, I ask each of you to please, "Be the Miracle".