Authors

  1. Fritzsche, Sharon D. MSN, RN, FNP-BC, CPSN

Article Content

One of my favorite writers is Leo Buscaglia. He has written numerous delightful books and has had been known to make profound statements that have made a lasting impression for me. There was a book written by Dan Zadra to celebrate nurses, caregivers, and other everyday heroes; in this book, Leo Buscaglia made an observation that too often we, as nurses, underestimate the power of our touch, a kind word, a smile, a listening ear, or even the smallest act of caring we give to our patients. Do you know that as a plastic surgery nurse we have a unique opportunity to direct the healing experience of our patients? As a nurse you become the bridge between the human being before you and all the medical machines potentially surrounding them. Many times you make your patient feel better by just sitting quietly at the bedside and saying nothing; you do that because you care. When we help others, we are actually helping ourselves. I believe that "what goes around comes around," and the kindness, compassion, and caring you give to your patient will complete the circle and come back to you. You as plastic surgery nurses need to be kind, compassionate, and gentle to yourselves as well! Why? Because you are needed! You can change the world because you care enough, and you will have a great sense of satisfaction knowing that for a brief point of time you made a difference in your patient's life. I will close with a quote by Charlotte Lunsford: "We won't always know whose lives we touched and made better for our having cared. What's important is that you do care and you act."

  
Figure. No caption a... - Click to enlarge in new windowFigure. No caption available.