MUSC nurses tell their stories in honor society publication
by Laurie Zone-Smith, R.N.Clinical Services Administration
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives: The Stories of Nurses is one of the best-selling books of 2003, published by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, a global leader in evidence-based nursing.
Published in November and written by and about nurses from around the world, the book tells 109 stories of extraordinary lives.
During Nurses' Week (May 6- 12), all MUSC registered nurses were invited to write and submit their stories about life and career experiences as a nurse.
Those stories appeared in the first printing of the MUSC Nurses' Week 2003 booklet, “The Many Faces of Nursing,” which contained 31 stories from MUSC nurses.
MUSC's
nurses are: Shannon Bright Smith, R.N., continuum care manager; Jo Anne
Marcell, R.N., Peri-Anesthesia Unit-PACU; Lynn M. Bond, R.N., Peri-Anesthesia
Unit-PACU; and Sarah A. Johnson, R.N., Peri-Anesthesia Unit-PACU.
Responding to a call for nursing stories from the honor society, MUSC's chief nursing officer, Marilyn Schaffner, facilitated submission of the booklet of stories for consideration. Seven stories from MUSC nurses practicing in various nursing roles were chosen for publication in the book.
“I am so proud of these women who have shared the courage, commitment and compassion of being a nurse,” Schaffner said. “Their stories communi-cate to the readers what makes the profession of nursing so incredibly special. I congratulate each of them on their publication.” Schaffner is presi-dent-elect of the Gamma Omicron At-Large Sigma Theta Tau chapter.
The following are excerpts and descriptions of stories written by the MUSC nurse authors.
Linda (Lynn) M. Bond, R.N., “Family Care.”
Bond tells her story of being a dual care provider as a primary care
giver and hospice coordinator for her father who passed away in her home
and full time nurse in the hospital.
“I am so happy I could do this for my father. I know that not everyone would be able to or would want to do what I did. But my years of experience as a nurse came into play for a very important patient, my father. I am a nurse!”
Sarah A. Johnson, R.N., “Nobody”
Johnson grieved for a child just beginning to bloom, who planted seeds
of reality for the emergency room staff.
“The physician gave me the ‘ER glance,’ that two-second, emotionless stare of support we give each other to cope with situations when we feel helpless. The stare is generally followed by stoic professionalism on the outside that masks the tears dripping down our insides.”
Shannon Bright Smith, R.N., “A Second Chance”
Smith wrote about her path to nursing inspired by nurses who cared
for her after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
“The fear that had once conquered me soon turned to hope for a better tomorrow. A year went by—cancer free! Then two and then three years passed. I reflected on my life and the second chance I had been given. Suddenly, material posses-sions weren't so important. I was grateful to God for my family and for being alive. I thought about those wonderful nurses who gave me such great care and decided I wanted to be like them.”
Jo Anne Marcell, R.N., “A Good Way to Make a Living”
Marcell shares her career changes in and out of nursing and why she
returned to the profession.
“During the 18 months it took me to become certified for teaching elementary school in South Carolina, a great nursing change occurred—nurses' salaries increased by 50 percent. More import-antly, nurses had a voice that had not been heard before. The higher pay was a manifestation of the higher regard for nurses. I went back to nursing again. There were other reasons...the prospects of having nursing experiences and having knowledge that could be used to make a difference in someone's life. I went back to nursing because I missed the camaraderie and bond that exists among nurses, the intellectual stimulation that comes with working in a teaching institution, all the new technology, and being elbow to elbow with medical miracles. I missed patients, I missed nursing.”
Christine D. Rowland, R.N., “Why I Became a Nurse”
Rowland shares her life journey and experiences influencing her desire
to be a nurse and her achievement of becoming a nurse.
“I still had the responsibility of running two households and maintaining my studies. It was a struggle. I had good days, bad days, and days when I just wanted to quit everything. Yet, the following May, two days after my son graduated from kindergarten, I (in cap and gown) took the short walk up the horseshoe to the portico and received my degree. I am, have always been, and will always be a nurse!”
Michelle Williams, R.N., “Family Care”
Williams' family experience with her grandfather's battle with leukemia
inspired her and propelled her to a career as an oncology nurse.
“Being an oncology nurse can be sad but very rewarding and a privilege. The greatest gift given to me is how to really appreciate life. If it's chocolate cake you want for breakfast, then chocolate cake is what you shall have. It's those special moments, like being the one to assist during a bone marrow transplant or caring for dying patients and knowing that you made them comfortable and their passing bearable for their family, that keep me coming back to work every day.”
Stephanie Morris, R.N., “The Birth of a Pediatric
Nurse”
Morris shared her experience as a parent whose young son's diagnosis
of leukemia strengthened her resolve and growth to be a pediatric nurse.
“...my very last clinical day I got the call that Zackary had gone into septic shock and respiratory failure. No one, as I learned later, had ever survived being put on a ventilator as soon after a bone marrow transplant, especially a baby. But somehow, with great care and the power of prayer, he did. At the same time, I passed my last exam and became a registered nurse. I will never forget how it feels to have your child's life, the one over whom you have been the main caretaker, handed over to medical professionals who are strangers. I will never forget how a compassionate ear or shoulder to cry on, when nothing else could be done, made everything a little better. I have learned the importance of incorporating and empowering family members to be a part of the team for healing their child.”
Book signing
On Nov. 20, a book signing was hosted by Loyola University of
Chicago, Marcella Niefhoff School of Nursing in Chicago, Ill.
Johnson, nurse author and MUSC nursing doctoral student, represented MUSC nurses at the book signing. The publishers said it was the largest, most successful book signing they had ever seen. All books were sold and back orders were taken to fill the need.
Johnson reflected upon her experience at the book signing: “These stories articulate the unique and powerful contributions of nurses not only to the health care arena, but to humanity. Caring for patients really does change every nurse. Reading the stories in this book and talking to the nurse authors in Chicago, gave me the great gift of insight into the soul of nursing, and a greater awareness about what is important in life.”
Caroline Hope Smeltzer, R.N., Ed.D., editor: “The activity in the room was overwhelming. The stories in the book are beautiful and meaningful. They will make you laugh, cry, reflect and re-examine the stereotype of nurses.
This year the MUSC 2004 Nurses Week committee has invited nurses to submit their expressions of the MUSC heART of Nursing through stories, photography, poems, sculpture and the like, that exemplify the 14 Forces of Magnetism. The forces are linked to the standards of Magnet designated hospitals recognized for nursing excellence and professionalism in practice.
All registered nurses are invited to send submissions to Lena Curry R.N., chair of 2004 Nurses Week Committee, at currylh@musc.edu.
For information visit: http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/nursing/nursesweek2004/.
Friday, April 2, 2004
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