God said, “I need someone to care for the sick, the fragile, the broken, and the dying.”

So God made a nurse.

God said, “I need someone to work long shifts and be on-call for 24 hours each day. Someone who has the heart of a servant and the will to sacrifice. Someone who will live a life dedicated to the well-being of others.”

So God made a nurse.

He said, “I need someone who isn’t afraid of coming in contact with blood, or other bodily fluids. Someone who has guts, and can stomach the sights and sounds of birth and death. Someone who can calm a crying baby and comfort a crying mother. Someone who can send a person from this life to the next with dignity and compassion.”

So God made a nurse.

God said, “I need someone who can distract people from pain with a radiant smile and exceptional kindness. Someone whose glowing personality makes the prick of a needle, the insertion of a tube, and the administering of medication almost painless. I need someone whose tenderness is directed toward people of every age and every background, someone who is able to show love in every circumstance.”

So God made a nurse.

He said, “I need someone with intuition. Someone who can silence the noise that swarms the hospital halls for long enough to hear my voice and trust my guidance. Someone who believes in miracles, but also understands that I won’t always allow one. I need someone who, in the absence of a miracle, has the ability to spread hope and shine light in an often dark world.”

So God made a nurse.

God said, “I need someone gentle enough to cradle a sleeping baby, and strong enough to carry the burden of a baby’s death. Someone who is a voice for the aging and the deceased. Someone who goes home empty because she has poured herself out for those who are suffering.”

So God made a nurse.

He said, “I need someone who won’t cut corners, someone who will work diligently to provide patients with the best care possible. Someone whose strength defies logic, who can physically carry human beings and lift their spirits when hope feels hard to come by. Someone who can imprint even a fleck of joy on the heart of another in the most dire of circumstances.”

So God made a nurse.

God said, “I need someone who will fight for life and leave the battle over death up to me. Someone who will hold the hands of the living and dying. Someone who will send patients home, whether on earth or in heaven, with a smile and a prayer. Someone who will rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn.”

So God made a nurse.

He said, “I need someone who will unite with patients in times of both gratitude and grief. Someone who is mighty, compassionate, intelligent, creative, and humble. Someone who has seen the worst in people, but still believes the best. Someone who understands the true meaning of the term handle with care.” 

So God made a nurse.

God said “I need someone who is special enough to be remembered even after the pain has been forgotten. Someone who will have a positive impact on all of humanity. Someone who will answer one of my highest callings.”

Thank you, God for making a nurse.

You may also like:

Nurses Aren’t “Playing Cards”—They’re Saving Lives Like Mine

To the Nurses Who Care For So Much More Than Our Sick Babies, Thank You