She retired from the hospital at age 70; 14 years ago.
She had only held one job at three different locations; only to leave one facility when it was razed and a new one was built.
She's gone from Mrs Street, Nursing Supervisor of the hospital and boss of most, to "Miss Jayne", an elderly patient whose steps are measured as she uses a cane to get around.
Some of the old timers came by to say "Hello" and she lit up when they asked after her and if she missed not working. One RN spoke about Mother's nursing uniform-- complete with white high heels. As if being on your feet all day wasn't hard enough on a body. Another nurse asked me why I didn't follow in her footsteps and become a nurse. I said I just wasn't cut out for it.
Mother then confided that she always wanted to be a nurse because her Father wouldn't LET her Mother be one. Nursing wasn't always a reputable profession. It was more on par of being a hooker as Mother put it. Whether it truly was or not I can't be sure. Mother is snarky with a dry sense of humor so you can't always read her correctly. But it was certainly out of the question for her Mother to be a nurse. I'm sure I've heard this somewhere down the line, but had forgotten about it until today.
Today I want to salute not only my Mother who has been a Nurse to thousands and a loving caregiver to her family, but I also salute all the Nurses of the world. It's not only an emotional and physical position, it takes a special person to turn your life over to helping others in every way, every day.
(She also met my Dad there when he came in as a patient. We're talking 1950. Must have been the high heels.)
She had only held one job at three different locations; only to leave one facility when it was razed and a new one was built.
She's gone from Mrs Street, Nursing Supervisor of the hospital and boss of most, to "Miss Jayne", an elderly patient whose steps are measured as she uses a cane to get around.
Some of the old timers came by to say "Hello" and she lit up when they asked after her and if she missed not working. One RN spoke about Mother's nursing uniform-- complete with white high heels. As if being on your feet all day wasn't hard enough on a body. Another nurse asked me why I didn't follow in her footsteps and become a nurse. I said I just wasn't cut out for it.
Mother then confided that she always wanted to be a nurse because her Father wouldn't LET her Mother be one. Nursing wasn't always a reputable profession. It was more on par of being a hooker as Mother put it. Whether it truly was or not I can't be sure. Mother is snarky with a dry sense of humor so you can't always read her correctly. But it was certainly out of the question for her Mother to be a nurse. I'm sure I've heard this somewhere down the line, but had forgotten about it until today.
Today I want to salute not only my Mother who has been a Nurse to thousands and a loving caregiver to her family, but I also salute all the Nurses of the world. It's not only an emotional and physical position, it takes a special person to turn your life over to helping others in every way, every day.
(She also met my Dad there when he came in as a patient. We're talking 1950. Must have been the high heels.)
3 comments:
I'm saluting. Here's to your mum.
It takes a special sort of person to be a nurse, I think.
Thank you, Julie! Caregivers don't always get the respect they deserve.
Wonderful tribute to your mother and to nurses! I'm glad you came back home soon and hope all is well.
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