I am a nurse

Like many of you, I have been following the Ebola situation, both here and abroad. Listening to media reports is reminiscent of the early days of the AIDS epidemic when we were all trying to find our way through endless speculation about viral transmission. As I watched the two infected nurses from Texas brought out of obscurity and thrust into the limelight—a place I am certain they never imagined they would find themselves—I was pleased to hear so many commentators mentioning the important role nurses have within the health care system.

One physician observed, “It is important we do not demonize nurses, as they are brave professionals who are on the front lines, saving patients’ lives.” Despite the intense political debates currently taking place, nurses are still the most trusted of health care professionals, and patients look to us when searching for answers in these uncertain times. No matter what the threat is to public health, nurses will be there to provide guidance, as we have for centuries, with these comforting words: “It’s going to be OK. I am a nurse.”

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those the promote products or services will not be posted.