Creating Holiday Cheer For Patients In Hospitals
Caring is more than giving meds and performing procedures
When I made the decision to become a nurse, I knew it meant I was not going to be present with my family on many important days.
I have spent many of my own birthdays with a urine cup in hand or blood on my clothes.
Sometimes I was not being appreciated.
But this is the path I chose as this is my calling.
So off to work I go leaving my family at home.
Of course, there are always sick people at hospitals, so we show up to care for them.
Major holidays are no different.
During holidays we do what we can to make the Christmas season jolly and bright.
We begin by creating a seasonal atmosphere.
We dress up with hats and festive trinkets and the various units are decorated.
Last year we had a patient, a male of 85 years of age and the recipient of back surgery. (Another story for another day).
So, the dear sweet patient spent his birthday in the hospital with us.
We bought a card, and everyone signed beautiful messages on it.
We bought beautiful silver and blue balloons depicting his years. The balloons were huge and beautiful.
We got cupcakes with candles and healthy finger foods.
Then we all trudged into his room, decked with Santa hats, singing happy birthday and Christmas songs.
He and his family were so surprised and so very pleased.
We wanted to make this guy’s stay a little more special.
And while this patient felt special, this is the norm and something we practice all the time.
On special occasions, we go the extra mile to make our patients smile.
They also receive a “special” lunch and some extra attention for the day.
Thank you, Barb Dalton for this writing prompt. Please read Barb’s story below.
Pene Hodge is a mom, a nurse, a writer. She writes because she must. She loves people and is committed to sharing and gleaning knowledge for the betterment of all.