Molly Mathew Houston
The season of Thanksgiving is always very pleasant and joyful. It gives an aura of happiness and gratitude which fosters an environment to work with content. By analyzing from the view of a professional nurse, thanksgiving season influences positively in the profession of nursing and in the process of an individual’s mental, physical, and spiritual healing.
From the nursing point of view a nurse during Thanksgiving will reflect on her achievements and successes in the nursing profession. She is thankful for the professional growth, educational knowledge and skills achieved to perform safe patient care. Nurses are thankful for the advancements in technology which enables a nurse to perform her task easier such as from the hard works of lifting a patient manually to the button nursing today-where we press a button or switch which makes our physical labor much easier and safer. Another example of advancements in technology where a nurse is grateful is scanning medications through devices which provides safety in preventing medication errors and complications which indirectly assures nurses’ protection from legal issues.
Many nurses are still advancing with higher education according to their interest and passion, as the opportunities are splendid with a variety of areas. Above all the stigma of nursing profession grew outward and today nursing has become well respected, accepted by the community and considered as financially secure and stable profession. In one word nursing makes a nurse humbler and human in nature. During the season of Thanksgiving nurses are grateful and realize that “Nursing” is a calling that she or he is an asset to the family, community and to the nation, who is exceptionally a positive influence in the lives of many.
On the other hand, if a nurse observes from the patient’s perspective the patients are more appreciating and welcoming. Generally, patients accept thanksgiving with a positive vibe, pleasant and more grateful which indirectly promotes the healing process. Family members communicate with each other with positive, encouraging and supportive languages. This behavior expresses an atmosphere of gratitude and provides an aura of peace and acceptance for a nurse to deliver safe care.
Patients are grateful for their staff and treatment team, verbalizing words of kindness and satisfaction. Thanksgiving is a season where each one examines their own self conscience, evaluates their own weakness and strength. One tries to practice forgiveness and apologizes for mistakes while creating a heart of gratitude which fosters a harmonious and peaceful situation either at home or hospital. Thus, a nurse observes among the patient population less anger and conflict, easy to handle complex situations, better understanding with the ongoing disease process. Leaders in the unit provide food or snacks as a token of gratitude for all the services provided by the entire team. Co-workers, doctors and other colleagues share words of thanksgiving and appreciation. This encourages and promotes unity in the workplace, increases interpersonal relationships, fosters harmony and peace and thus positively impacts the promotion of mental and physical health and healing.
In the community and in the nation “Thanksgiving” is a season of festival. Children and other family members come back to their main house or hometown to visit friends, siblings and relatives. So mostly patients are eager to get discharged early to join with the Thanksgiving celebrations at home, and are happy and hopeful which enhances mental and physical healing. From the spiritual point of view, thanksgiving and gratitude strengthens one’s vision, encourages self-giving, and motivates acts of charity which keeps an individual humbler and human thus empowering spirituality.
Overall, as a nurse, I can say that Thanksgiving is a beautiful and meaningful celebration which enables a nurse to provide safe care with gratitude to the families and communities. Let us create and cherish a heart to give Thanks to the creator for all His providence and become successful warriors in the healing ministry.
Molly Mathew Houston
biblemolly@yahoo.com
