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We’ve had an overwhelming response to our Thankful to be a Nurse campaign on Facebook, and many nurses have shared personal stories and thoughts about why they love their careers. Thank you for being so honest, especially during this season of gratitude, about the way nursing has touched your lives — and allowed you to impact others’ lives.
Here are just a few of the reasons you are thankful to be nurses:
“I am thankful for the 30 years that I practiced as a nurse. Even though I had to retire due to an illness, in my heart, I will always be a nurse. I miss it every single day. I would give anything to work one more shift.”
— Sherrie Glass
“I’m thankful because every day I get to meet someone new and talk to them. They share their stories about their lives as I’m caring for them, helping them to wake up from surgery and getting them ready to go home. It helps them get their minds off the pain and distracts them from the stuff around them. I’ve been a nurse for 44 years, in ICU and in clinics, and now in outpatient surgery. I loved every aspect of my career. There were days I wanted to quit, but I knew God had put me there for a purpose — and that was to serve others in His place while I was here.”
— Jessi Marsiglia
“[I’m] thankful to be a nurse to be there in the moment with patients and families at the best and worst times of their lives. They trust and share their feelings, fears, hopes and dreams, and I have just walked in the room, smiled and said hello for the first time. Amazing.”
— Aleta Littell
“After 38 years of nursing, I still love what I do. I consider it a privilege to be part of each patient’s life for the brief time I am with them. I see patients preoperatively and can hold their hands, give them a hug if they need it, make them laugh or be part of their family. Yes, I can explain things to them and answer their questions, but giving them the empathy and compassion they need to face surgery is what I feel is my calling from God. I hope to never lose my nursing heart.”
— Terrie Mann
“I love being a nurse and being there for people when they feel their worst. I know what loss feels like, as I had to bury my little girl at 17 weeks gestation. Tragedy turns to a blessing when you are able to find words of sympathy and comfort straight from your very soul to comfort someone.”
— Chrissi Black
“Ever since I was old enough to talk, I always wanted to be a nurse. I always received a nurse’s kit at Christmas and nursed my dolls. I am thankful to God for allowing me to fulfill my dream. I nursed for 30 years and enjoyed helping people get better and to go home with their families. I’ve cried with families who lost loved ones and laughed (and cried too) when babies were born. I have worked in every position in the nursing field and would not trade my life for anything.”
— Linda Hunt
“My job is in home care. I specialize in high-risk infants. It gives me great pleasure to care for these infants so their moms and dads can finally take a breath from the stress these fragile infants bring. I am able to instill confidence in new moms and help them overcome the fear they have in bringing these babies home. I have given the mom of of a special baby the ability to go back to school and get her RN license, with the confidence that her baby is in capable hands. THAT is why I’m thankful to be a nurse!”
— Jeri Lee Smith-Noce
“I have been blessed to help those who are sick and unable to care for themselves or those they love. I am fortunate to serve our great nation by caring for those who served our country — to restore their health and many times to help reunite families that have been estranged. But mostly I am thankful because I have been able, for the last 38 years, to be what I always dreamed of being — a nurse.”
— Karen Moses
“I like being a nurse because it helps you to become more human as you give care, love and comfort, build hope, and encourage faith. You are there also to help or counsel family members through their loved one’s illness.”
— Elena Dolores Longsworth-Williams
“I work in the OR. I’ve been in nursing since I graduated high school, first as an LPN and then onto RN. To me it isn’t a career, it’s a way of life. I’m thankful when I see my scared patient smile for even a moment and I know I made a small difference in their life.”
— Dina Barnett
Remember: You still have time to share why you’re thankful to be a nurse on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for the chance to win a $50 gift card! Read this post for more details.
