I’ve heard that ‘family’ isn’t always about blood relatives. As a matter of fact, I recently saw a quote that said, ‘Here’s to the nights that turned into mornings with the friends that turned into family.’ I’m sure the author, unknown, had a different meaning or thought in mind, but what I immediately thought of was my nursing ‘family.’
I worked at Shawnee Mission Medical Center from 1981 – 1994. The joke was that I went on maternity leave in 1994 and never went back. Which was true for working within the hospital, but I worked for a lung specialist affiliated with the hospital for several years and still had contact with many of my friends who still worked there.
I think one of the reasons so many of those women hold a special place in my life and heart, is because they helped to form my nursing career. While working my way through nursing school, I was blessed to have teachers and mentors who took me under their wing. So, by the time I graduated in 1986, I felt much more at ease working clinically. These women were also with me when I married my husband and through the birth of both of my kids.
So back to the above quote. I’ve often wondered why, after 30+ years, all it takes is one phone call, or text or Facebook message and we are all brought together again. I think because we HAD to depend on one another, and help each other just like family. Especially on the night shift, when there isn’t a lot of extra staff. It didn’t matter the title, education level or role, if I needed help someone was there. Just as they are now.
Many thanks to my nursing ‘family’. I won’t name anyone for fear of leaving someone out. But you all know who you are and what a special place you hold in my life and my heart.
Name pins documenting the first half of my life.