It's hard to believe that the first decade of the 21st century is quickly drawing to a close. We're in the midst of our annual holiday season and thoughts of giving come to my mind. I can't think of a group of professionals who give of themselves more freely and generously than trauma nurses. While the holiday gifts you shop for and wrap so colorfully are nice, the wonderful gifts you give to others everyday are priceless.
Consider just some of the gifts you give.
KNOWLEDGE
You share your knowledge, your pearls of wisdom, and your lessons learned with everyone around you. Nurses, physicians, prehospital providers, other members of the health care team, patients and their families, and your own families and friends, all reap the benefits of your giving. You probably don't even stop to think about how often you take the time to share what you know with someone who can benefit from it. You give presentations to colleagues and community members. You write articles. You help to develop standards, pathways, and guidelines. You expertly represent your organizations during verification surveys and Joint Commission visits. You give so much to so many.
CLINICAL EXPERTISE
You are the calm and compassionate "face" of the trauma team for the patients and families. You help carry out the trauma primary and secondary survey, document findings, and can help others to find any item in the trauma room in seconds. You provide structure and order to the trauma room. You provide the minute-to-minute clinical care of trauma patients in critical care and throughout the continuum of care.
CARE
You translate the often-threatening and frightening trauma clinical environment into a caring place of healing and support. You patiently explain procedures and help very stressed people deal with often-overwhelming situations. You are often the first person the patient sees when they get to the hospital, and you make an effort to continue to visit and encourage the patient throughout his or her stay. You care for everyone around you-not just at work, but also in your homes and in your neighborhoods and communities. You use your effective listening and counseling skills not only in the clinical setting, but also with family and friends. You are the first person people call when "something bad happens." You spend time listening to their concerns and worries and even willingly spend long hours in emergency departments or waiting rooms, helping to reassure them and helping them understand what is happening to their loved one.
VOLUNTEERISM
You are at the front of the line for volunteering for local, national, and even international disasters. How many of you helped in some way with the HlN1 challenges early this year? You think nothing of taking vacation days to help others. You volunteer for everything from walking for worthy causes to picking up trash at local beaches or parks. You are members and leaders of community groups. You always seem to come up with the time to help others volunteering at community health fairs and injury-prevention events. You are often the voice and face of trauma professionals on the local media.
These are just a few ways you make a difference everyday to those around you. While you may not see these gestures as "gifts," I am certain that the people who benefit from you and your expertise do.
Take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back for all you do. Acknowledge that you do a great deal to make life easier and less stressful for others in all areas of your life.
And, here's the hardest part for us as nurses (especially trauma nurses)-let someone do something nice for you!! Accept praise and appreciation. Take someone up on a lunch or dinner offer. Use that "thank you" gift card that someone gave you "in appreciation." Take a little time for you this holiday season.
Happy New Year and, on the behalf of the STN officers, board, and SMS management firm, thank you for all you do in support of each other and our organization. See you in San Antonio in 2011!!