On Monday I sat in the lobby of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for 14 hours. For the first time, I was on the other side of the fence – waiting for a loved one to come through surgery, as has been done for me numerous times over the past four years.

It’s not a fun job, but at least I had crappy hospital food, a couch to doze on and an internet connection. You might think the patient has it the worst… but they’re under so much anesthesia that by the time they wake up they’ll think five minutes has passed and will ask when surgery starts. I’d venture to say the surgeons and nurses participating in the 12+ hour surgery have it the worst; on their feet all day, not eating, performing tasks I can’t even begin to imagine… in order to prevent and protect.

Recently, Miss Colorado, a contestant for the Miss America Pageant, delivered an inspiring monologue about nursing, rather than showcasing singing or dancing talents. http://kelley.littlethings.com/miss-colorado-nurse-story/?utm_source=LTts&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=inspiring
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