Elaine Smith

The very first week of nursing school, a fellow church member church pulled me into the ladies room, lifted her shirt and asked what I thought of the rash. I said I thought she should see a doctor…

The level of comfort people have knowing that I am a nurse astounds me. People trust nurses. That trust that people have in me keeps me grounded and sincere. I work hard everyday (what nurse doesn’t?) at a busy eye surgery center. The average age of our patients is 70 years old and they look up to me for comfort and support as preparations for their eye surgery is underway. I see the trepidation in their faces as I admit them for surgery. I assure them as I begin surgical prep that I will look out for them and they are in good hands with the surgeon. I am always mindful that I could be in their position and what would comfort me? I am not alone. The nurses, surgical techs, clinical techs, schedulers, billers and coders all work together and pitch in wherever, whenever. Each of us are invested in our patients and do not hesitate to advocate for their safety (sometimes to the patients chagrin). But in the end, it lightens my heart when that patient returns and thanks me for alerting the doctors of potential problems because it saved their life. And that is what I imagined nursing to be!

It’s not the high profile ICU or cardiac unit, it’s “just” eye surgery. And yet, what I do helps restore one of the most valued human senses; being able to see.

*Elaine Smith is a 2009 Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University