It’s been awhile since I started this blog. I think when I began, I didn’t really have a “mission” statement. I had an account, I had a name–I thought, let’s just see what happens. Here are some thoughts, though, on what this blog started out being and what it has become.
All nurses are connected
The URL and blog title, ConnectedNurses.com, says a lot. About 80% if you subscribe to the Pareto Principle.
First, we all come from the same humble beginnings (or horror-filled beginnings if you look at the illustration at the top of the page). Florence Nightingale, the official founder of nursing, practiced at a time in the 19th century, when science was still struggling to be a recognized concept, let alone a basis for caring for people or anything else.
Second, nurses connect differently. Depending on gender (i.e. “male nurse” vs. female), education (a PhD accredited registered nurse vs. a nursing aide still working his way through a three year community college nursing course).
Nurses connect to the whole world
It’s easy to think of things like “nursing solidarity” and one nurse sticking up for another. I’ve always been a big proponent of heatlthcare worker unions!
However, it’s more than that. There is a connectedness among nurses to each other, as well as a connectedness to nurses and all other living (and non-living?) things. I see that now. It’s maybe something I’ve only discovered recently, perhaps even since starting this blog. It more spiritual than it is a “workplace solidarity” or workplace conditioning item.
A nurse can be transformational
No secret here. Nursing has always had a “more-than-nursing” focus. Along with its basis in science–nursing grew up along with and from within science–there has always been a spiritual or holistic part or flavor to the pursuit of nursing. Perhaps that is what lends to some of what I call (above) “nursing solidarity”.
I remember that for my senior paper in my baccalaureate nursing program, I wrote a rather scathing piece on holistic nursing and complementary medicine. Looking back on it–what I know now versus what I knew then–I see that I was mistaken. There’s more to the human condition and the human being that what can be measured. And certainly more than what meets the eye!
So a nurse–any nurse, you, me–can be transformational. Any one of us–like Florence Nightingale–has it in our power to change the world!
Not to put too much of a spin on it, but yes, we can change the world. Any one of us, or all of us a world of nurses–we have a tremendous amount of power. Most of us don’t know it. And those that think that might be the case, need coaching, teaching and mentoring on how to get at it–to get to this power–this ability to change the world. Sounds like a lot doesn’t it?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Gerry.
Human connection is what matters