“Of all vocations among men there is none more honorable and exalted than that of the trained nurse.”–Bishop Wilson T. Hogue
In her essay, What It Is to be a Nurse, Miss Frances Eaton Pope wrote, “To begin with the essentials of a good nurse are:
The love of God and of fellow creatures.
Strength of body and mind.
Cheerfulness.
Belief that cleanliness is next to godliness.
Refinement of character.
Good education.
Knowledge of human nature.
Quickness of comprehension and action.
Patience and perseverance.”
Miss Pope may have been on to something when, at the turn of the 20th century, she outlined the essentials that need to be combined in order to produce a properly trained nurse.
The essay was intended as a cautionary measure for young adults who were considering training to become nurses.
In the very first sentence she debunks the notion that nursing is simply the patting of fevered brows followed by weak, grateful smiles from the invalid. She claims that, although “the calling of nurse is a noble one”, the career is not serene, beautiful, or easy.
The nursing profession is no easy path
To prove her point Pope uses phrases such as dark days and obstacles, dusting and bed making. She speaks to the necessity of being a powerhouse within a den of illness and finding loyalty and favor with the doctors.
The profession of nursing has evolved considerably since Pope’s time even though the list of essentials has remained fairly unchanged. Throughout the last 100+ years, nurses have evolved as innovators, discoverers of best practice, and pioneers in patient care.
Where there are nurses, there is novelty in patient care.
Where there are nurses, there are emerging shifts in healthcare.
Truth be told, this innovative side of nursing isn’t new at all.
A look back at nursing innovation
As early as the 1900s, the American Journal of Nursing was publishing hints and tips for nurses in a section called “Improvising”. Eventually that feature turned into “The Trading Post”, a column by nurses for nurses sharing ideas about how to make their nursing care better and more efficient.
As the 1950s rolled around, nursing as a profession was rounding a corner too. Nurses went from exchanging ideas about their everyday work activities to publishing their own research ideas based on scientific methods.
In 2019, the courage to create rather than cater is boundless within the heart of every nurse. As nurses we have all been hours deep into a nursing shift and thought “there’s got to be a better way”.
I believe that everything on Pope’s list is what spurs us as nurses to seek out “a better way”, but—my apologies to Miss Pope—her list is not inclusive!
All nurses can do their part as innovators
Here’s the short list to get you started:
- Get involved. Join the American Nurses Association or your state’s nurses association, read nursing journals, write nursing articles. What’s your nurse specialty? Use it to volunteer as a speaker at local schools or community centers.
- Speak up. Send letters to the editors or to your congressmen regarding timely nursing issues. Did you see a fellow nurse being grabbed by a patient? Let your management team know that you’ve got ideas to make everyone safer.
- Do not be afraid to share, share, share. The knowledge you’ve gained through the years is not yours alone. Part of expanding the nursing profession is mentoring new nurses. Even if it’s a cup of coffee and an understanding ear, take the time, be that nurse. Your experience, your words, your knowledge is what makes us strong.
According to the American Nurses Association, “Every nurse is an agent of change and an innovator.” Check out their website for more ideas on innovation in nursing and healthcare.
Innovation is an inherent part of nursing
Nurses are natural innovators and we cannot be shy about sharing ourselves and our ideas. It is up to us to create a profession that goes beyond Miss Pope’s list of essential elements.
Are you ready?
I can’t wait to learn your innovative insights! Please share in the comments. And if you want to inspire other nurses to be nursing innovators, be sure to click save!
Cheers!
