Not playing cards

I have been holding off, but I just can't anymore.
So a politician said that nurses don't do much but play cards while working.  I cannot believe someone would say that! I have worked in rural, small hospitals and in big city hospitals and there is ALWAYS something to do!  I take offense, as many of the nurses that have responded to her comment has, to the public thinking that nurses do nothing. 
Nursing has evolved into this new profession.  Yes I said profession because we are professionals.  Long gone are the days where we follow the doctor around or give up our seat at the nursing station for the doctor or do their bidding.  We are an important part of the medical team.  The nurses are the eyes and ears, and sometimes noses, for the doctor. We call them when the patient isn't responding to treatment, save your life when your heart stops and comfort you when you have received devastating news. 
It is a continual fight with nurses for us to get the respect we deserve.  I am lucky to work for a company and work with other staff and doctors that do respect nurses.  We all work well together for the good of the patients we care for.
So back to the "playing cards". This comment is just what we do not need.  If our patients and families feel like we are not caring for them or paying attention to the monitors or delivering their medications as ordered, then we are back to square one with fighting for respect and all the work that we really do.  This comment can be the confirmation for some of those in the public to not support nurses and act terrible to us while we are working.
As a manager, I deal with a lot of complaints.  And most of the complaints are because the public do not really understand what nurses do and how busy nursing is during their shift. I get complaints from families because they "haven't seen their nurse all day", but other staff and nurses have helped out their nurse with the care because that nurse was with their other patient who was coding, or with a patient whose family was withdrawing care on their loved one. 
All nurses are part of a team.  We help each other out, without asking.  This job is hard enough, and without each other, no one would ever become a nurse.
I love being a nurse and all the experiences I have, whether they are difficult times or good times.  You see,  I am with your family or friend while they are at their worst.  I can help them get through their difficult diagnosis, or their surgery.  I not only give life saving medications or help control their pain, I also hold their hand, cry with them and pray over them.  You may not see this, but be assured, the nurses are dedicated to the care they provide, not planning card games. 

So next time you see a nurse, thank them for their service.  It is hard and we have many experiences during our 12 hour shift that you will never know about.  Pray for all nurses, to give them strength to get through their shift. To give them courage to return to work after a horrible, long, stressful shift.  We will all have trouble in this world, but our God will help us through those difficult times.

John 16:33; "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world."

Love to all,