DiversityNursing Blog

Medical professionals like doctors, nurses, and paramedics devote much of their time and energy to making sure we are safe and healthy. They don’t get a lot of time to themselves, and many would argue that they don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Ashley Bolling is a stylist and mother of three who is letting it be known that these people, particularly nurses, deserve more than just a thank you. She posted a sweet message for nurses everywhere after one came into her salon, Captivate Salon & Spa, and dozed off in her chair. The woman hadn’t slept all night and was clearly exhausted. Ashley gently rested her head against her stomach, but it was her shoes that grabbed her attention. They weren’t worn down or dirty — she was simply amazed by how much weight they carried, both literally and figuratively.

You can read Ashley Bolling’s sweet and moving tribute to nurses below.

I had one of those “stop-you-in-your-tracks,” extremely humbling moments, while working quietly on the hair of a very exhausted, sleeping nurse.

She’d been at work all night and hadn’t been to bed when she landed in my chair, but not before stopping to buy my breakfast on her way.

As she dozed off, I gently rested her head on my stomach and continued to foil her hair…. then I noticed her shoes.

I wondered how many miles those shoes have walked. I wondered what they’d walked through. Blood? Tears? In & out of the countless rooms of the patients she’s cared for? I wondered how many hours they’ve carried her, and all those like her, while they literally save the lives of those we love and hold the hands of the ones who can no longer fight that fight.

But with those shoes propped up in that chair, phone in her lap, I got the chance to take care of her (even if it was just for a few hours) and I felt extremely honored to take care of such a hard working, inspiring woman I’m so lucky to call my friend.

I’ve always respected and valued these amazing superheroes and am proud to be the sister, daughter, niece, friend and hairstylist of so many. Know you are appreciated, know you are irreplaceable, know you are loved!

I've discovered that nurses are a) seriously overworked and b) absolutely the best!

They do things that other people would shun. Really think about that. They are also underappreciated, which is a real shame because there aren't many professions in the world more awesome than nursing. We need to shower nurses with appreciation for their work because the things that nurses do for their patients are among the most noble on the planet.

In case you have any doubt about how cool nurses are, check out my five reasons that nurses totally rock...

1. They Are Patient Advocates

If you or a loved one is in the hospital, make sure you are as kind as possible to the nurses. There is no one you can trust more in the hospital than the nursing staff. They are true patient advocate. Rushed doctors can sometimes not be as thoughtful about patient care as they could be, which is why it is so cool that nurses are always willing to fight with the doctors to get their patients the best care possible.

Always remember to do everything you can to support the nurses in their efforts as your patient advocate. If the nurses are urging you to talk with the doctor about a certain aspect of your care, do it. Nurses always have their patients' best interests at heart, and they deserve the highest of fives for the level of advocacy they demonstrate daily.

2. Nurses Are the Ultimate Lovers of Humanity

One of the most admirable attributes that nurses demonstrate is their ability to provide stellar care to every person who walks through their doors. Whoever a person is, whether they are good or bad, they will be treated equally by nurses.

Nurses ensure that every patient gets the level of care they deserve as a member of the human race. It takes an amazing kind of soul to treat every segment of society equally. The fact that it is just par for the course for nurses shows precisely why they are so awesome.

3. Their Bravery Is Remarkable

Because nurses treat every member of society equally, they are exposed to the best and the worst it has to offer. While interacting with the bottom rungs of society, they can be insulted, shouted at and even attacked. It takes an incredible type of person to bravely face a work environment where you will be exposed to some of the dregs of society. Nurses walk through the doors of the hospital every day knowing that they may face a mentally ill or criminally desperate person who could make their work dangerous.

4. They Cover Some Serious Distance

If a nurse ever challenges you to a walking contest, you better make sure you are in shape. The average American walks 2.5 to 3 miles per day. On the other hand, nurses average four or five miles just during their workdays on a 12-hour shift. The kind of endurance nurses need to respond to many patients simultaneously while being on their feet all day makes them true heroes.

With that in mind, you might want to think about how long the nurses have been on their feet during their shift when you interact with them. They work so hard and in such a grueling manner that they deserve to be treated with respect. When you think about getting upset in the hospital, keep in mind that nurses are doing everything they can to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

5. They Have the Best Stories

Because they are so caring and see people at their best and worst, you will find that most nurses are treasure troves of stories. Their stories range from the heroic to the tragic to the hilarious, and you can bet that every nurse has several of the most incredible stories you will ever hear in your life. If you want to make a friend who is caring and full of great stories, there is no better friend than someone who wears nursing scrubs.

It is indisputable. Nurses totally rock. They do the hard work of taking care of people when they need it the most. We should always do everything we can to show love and support to the hard-working members of the nursing world.