# 12 Faith in Nursing

I know this is supposed to be about faith and how we integrate our faith in nursing so I have been trying to think of something to tell you all. I'd like to tell you how it took an act of God to get me out of bed this morning, or how I prayed I would not vomit yesterday when I was doing a dressing change but Somehow I think that is not what Professor Haldeman is looking for.
Today is our last day of clinical rotation at our long term care facility. I am sad, I am going to miss my little lady I have been caring for. Miss M says she likes me, I would have never guessed. She does not show her feelings. This was not easy going into a nursing home and working with elderly people who are sick and not going "home". We went in and for a short time we were there to help out where we were needed and we gleaned a ton of information from the nurses and aids. I enjoyed it and will be sad when I say good bye. I know we left a mark on their hearts and minds. We are green and unsure and inquisitive, we are eager to help and learn and probably a lot like they (the staff) were when they first started. Some of them still had a love for their job but others--- it was just a job. One Nursing assistant I worked with schooled me on how time was the governor and emotion played no part. hmmm I'll have to remember that. I for got to use it, though when I met a sweet little lady who syays in bed. It was breakfast time and we were all passing out trays. Nobody wanted to take hers in, sad, i know but what the heck, I went...there she layed, so fragile and small. she was scared when I raised the head of her bed and she did not want breakfast or the curtains opened. Her aid came in and said she would not eat much and then picked up her toast with a fork and offered it to her. Weird, I thought. So I lingered and when the gal left, I began to talk to "R". She was alert and we talked about her life and kids. She was very interesting and funny. What a waste, I thought. She is just tucked away back here in this room, left alone and forgotten, That's sad. God gave me the words I needed and we had a wonderful conversation. She ended up drinking 480cc and ate 50% of her meal. I think that is faith in nursing. I could have just walked away, too but God asked me to stay, He gave me the words I needed, and the whatever it was I used when I used what we learned in the classroom... I was touched.... I hope you all have a wonderful last day.