|
|
.
|
|
Celebrate You – A Nephrology Nurse
by ANNA President Sue Cary
September
14-20, 2008, is Nephrology Nurses’ Week. The theme this year is
“Nephrology Nurses: We Carry the Torch.” What does this mean? There are
many interpretations a person can contribute to this theme. Since 2008
is an Olympic year, the picture of an Olympic torch comes to mind. The
Olympic symbols, including the torch, represent the Olympic values.
“The values of excellence, friendship, and respect are the foundation
upon which the Olympic Movement brings together sport, culture, and
education for the betterment of human beings” (The Olympic Museum,
2007, p. 9). As nephrology nurses, we show excellent nursing care by
striving to do our best for our patients to better their lives. It
takes a trusting, working friendship formed within a team of caregivers
striving toward a common goal to provide medical care for patients with
kidney disease. As nephrology nurses, we care for our patients with
dignity and respect.
As a workforce of nurses from four generations, it is important that we
show respect for each other’s ideas and values as we carry the torch
together for nephrology nursing. Use the flame of the torch as a source
of inspiration as you celebrate Nephrology Nurses’ Week. The flame
lights the fire within each of us, motivating us to do our best as we
care for our patients. It lights that passion we have to care for our
patients and their families. Positive values associated with the flame
of a torch that man has experienced are warmth, peace, harmony, light,
brightness, energy, and beauty. The flame also draws people together
and unites them in a common goal. The lit “torch” is a perfect symbol
describing nephrology nurses as it lights our way to speak up for the
care of patients with kidney disease. The American Nephrology Nurses’
Association (ANNA) offers nurses a voice in health policy issues that
affect our patients. There is a sense of peace and harmony as we come
together to encourage our colleagues to join us as members of ANNA and
members of the specialty of nephrology nursing.
Becoming a Nephrology Nurse
Do you remember what brought you to this profession of caring for
individuals with chronic kidney disease? I remember when, at 21 years
of age, I read a classified advertisement for a hemodialysis nurse. The
job description stated no work on Sundays, holidays, or nights. I
thought this benefit sounded great. I may have become a nephrology
nurse for the wrong reasons, but I stayed for the right reasons. I am
still a nephrology nurse 31 years later. I stayed because Nephrology
Nursing is a career of caring for individuals and their families that
requires compassion, skill, and extensive knowledge of nursing care of
every system of the body.
Celebrating Nephrology Nursing And Nurses
I invite you to celebrate the specialty of nephrology nursing during
this special week in September and throughout the year. Nephrology
nurses make a positive difference in someone’s life every day.
Nephrology nurses have expertise in specialized skills and knowledge
that individuals with chronic kidney disease rely on for life-saving
care.
Be proud of what you do as a nephrology nurse. Share the spirit of
nephrology nursing with your colleagues. Celebrate the commitment,
dedication, and unselfish work nephrology nurses offer to maintain the
health of individuals with kidney disease. The American Nephrology
Nurses’ Association is proud to honor nephrology nurses during
Nephrology Nurses’ Week and throughout the year.
Recognize the specialty of nephrology nursing and be proud of
yourselves for all that you do and the difference you make in so many
peoples’ lives. We Carry the Torch!
Sue Cary, MN, APRN, NP, CNN
ANNA President
References
The Olympic Museum. (2007). The Olympic symbols. Retrieved July 11, 2008, from http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_
report_1303.pdf
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright 2008, American Nephrology Nurses' Association. Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., publisher. An iNurse Web site.
|
|
