During the past couple of days at work, I have come across both the sweetest and the rudest patients I have ever encountered. The patients were similar in many ways: they both were middle-aged Caucasian females admitted post-op for liver resection and were frequent flyers for chemotherapy. The only differences in these women were their support system and outlook on life. Although both were diagnosed with terminal illness, one had no visitors, an obvious addiction to her phone, and an extremely nasty attitude towards anyone who came her way. The other one- a self-proclaimed woman of faith with a love for meditation, had numerous family members and friends come to visit, and a constant smile that shone out through her eyes. (This, by the way, is in perfect alignment with my previous hypothesis of faith, love & meditation being the best way to improve all aspects of ones life and health, but that is for another day). My point is that I was the same nurse providing the same care to both patients, but their reaction to me and our organization in general were polar opposites. 

My job, as a nurse and a human being, is to try my best to understand, lift spirits, and show compassion to each person I come across. As long as I know I am doing just that, my reality has been created and everything else is the perception of others and is not a reflection of me. This is one of the single most important lessons I have learned very well in my short time as a nurse, and is applicable to every aspect of my life. It is also worth mentioning that at the end of the two days, even the rude patient thanked me for my patience and said I was the best nurse she had ever had…moments like this never cease to amaze me and remind me of why I wouldn’t have it any other way!