What People Are Saying About
Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul . . .
“Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul is a book long overdue. These stories cannot help but touch the hearts and souls of all who read it, nurses or not. Nurses will recognize their own experiences somewhere in these stories, which affirm the personal nature of nursing and the importance of personal touch involved in the care of others. The authors have done nursing a wonderful service in bringing to light the touching, funny, heartfelt anecdotes shared by those at the bedside.”
Sally Russell, M.N., R.N.
educational director, Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses
“Written by nurses, this collection honestly champions the contributions, commitment and sacrifices endured daily by nurses, portraying the compassion, intellect and wit necessary to meet the dynamic, complex and ever-challenging demands of the profession. Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul will be cherished by nurses and by everyone whose lives have been touched by a special nurse.”
Mary H. McMahon, M.S.N., R.N.C.
director of nursing, Maternal Child Services
Salem Hospital, Salem, Oregon
“Nursing, the gentle art of caring, is vividly reflected in this collection of stories. Each provides a snapshot of the caregiving, compassion and depth of feelings encountered in the daily activities of nurses. With all the challenges of workplace issues facing nurses today, this collection of personal stories brings focus back to the motivations for choosing a career in nursing, as well as nourishes the soul of the practicing nurse.”
Linda Kubik Goeldner, C.H.E., C.A.E.
executive director, Iowa Nurses Association
“I was inspired and reignited about being a registered nurse as I read these stories. I was overwhelmed with tears, goose bumps, reflection and laughing out loud. In these challenging times we live in, I think these stories are a must for people interested in health care, receiving health care, and most importantly, for nurses of all ages, to be reminded of the importance in the work they do.”
Jeannie Eylar
director, Patient Care Services
Pullman Memorial Hospital, Pullman, Washington
“Finally! Chicken Soup for the ‘angels of mercy’ who have always been there for everyone else! Words of encouragement just for us! After that difficult shift at work when the patient load was heavy and the ‘moon was full,’ kick off your shoes, brew a cup of hot tea and relax in your favorite chair with some inspiring stories that remind us we are not only a blessing— we’re also blessed!”
Joan E. Edwards, R.N.C., M.N., C.N.S.
director, Women’s & Children’s Services
Kingwood Medical Center, Kingwood, Texas
“A powerful and inspiring book! The authors have captured nursing at its very best—demonstrating the art of caring for another human being. These nursing experiences vividly portray the integrity, compassion and intrinsic rewards of the nurse–patient relationship. This book will touch the heart and soul of novice and experienced nurses alike who share a common value of preserving human dignity—in health and in illness.”
Martha G. Lavender, R.N., D.S.N.
professor, dean of nursing
Jacksonville State University
“To my nurse colleagues: I urge you to read this book from cover to cover. It will inspire you to remember all those reasons why you became a nurse—an exercise that will result in a warm glow of happiness and the self-satisfaction of knowing you made the right career decision.”
Mary Henrikson, M.N., R.N.C.
chief operating officer
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women
San Diego, California
“These inspiring stories illustrate the incredible difference we, as nurses, get to make in people’s lives every day. Thank you for reminding me of the honorable profession of nursing.”
Diane Sieg, R.N., C.L.C.
“These stories gave me a wonderful sense of community among other nurses. I was able to relate to almost every story with a similar experience of my own. I was reminded over and over why I went into nursing and why I love what I do. I feel an increased pride in my profession and a great sense of belonging to a universal community of caring.”
Susan Goldberg, R.N.
“Why did I become nurse? I didn’t choose this profession for the big bucks or my name in lights! These stories convey the spirit of what it means to be a nurse!”
Suzanne Phelan, R.N., B.S.N.
“Nurses are the heart and soul of health care. In this book, our colleagues have shared brief glimpses into our profession, opening this heart and soul to the world. Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul gives us all a chance to laugh and maybe even cry, as we see ourselves provide our unique brand of care and caring to those we serve. So kick back and enjoy this marvelous book!”
Lynn Komatz, R.N., C.N.O.R.
“These stories refresh my spirit as a nurse and inspire me to stay on in this great profession.”
Kristina Winch, L.P.N.
“As I read Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, I was reminded of the many adventures, challenges, joys and sorrows of the career. It has not always been easy, but certainly rewarding. It forced me to grow up and see the real world. I have always believed that nursing is a blending of art and science. This book certainly illustrates that profound blending of two essential pieces of ‘who we are.’”
Jery Sigl, R.N.
“Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul reminds me why I am so grateful to nurses for supporting me in my work and helping me to become the doctor I am today. Decades ago, when I began listening to patients’ stories and helping them to heal, the nurses knew I was on the right path. They were into intensive caring while most medical professionals were into diagnosing and treating the disease, not appreciating the patients’ experiences. Nurses taught me that a good doctor is one who is criticized by nurses, patients and families. Their criticism polished my mirror. So, let me take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all the nurses who trained me.”
Bernie Siegel, M.D.
author, Love, Medicine and Miracles
“Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul pays grateful tribute to nurses—those exalted and capable servants who selflessly tend the sick, injured, aged and downhearted with deep compassion and unceasing dedication. Containing more than one hundred true stories of service and sacrifice, this uplifting book tugs on your heartstrings and tickles your funny bone, while artfully honoring the noble profession of nursing. Anyone who has ever been the recipient or the provider of health care will be challenged, motivated and enlightened by these inspiring, true-life examples of exceptional courage, commitment and caring.”
“Dr. Mom” Marianne Neifert, M.D.
speaker, author and clinical professor of pediatrics
University of Colorado School of Medicine
“Each story will fill nurses with a sense of pride in their chosen profession, helping them feel good about the work that they do, enabling them to thrive, not just survive, in this health-care arena.”
Mary Garlick Roll, R.N., M.S.
CHICKEN SOUP
FOR THE
NURSE’S SOUL
101 Stories to Celebrate,
Honor and Inspire the
Nursing Profession
Jack Canfield
Mark Victor Hansen
Nancy Mitchell-Autio, R.N.
LeAnn Thieman, L.P.N.
Health Communications, Inc.
Deerfield Beach, Florida
www.hcibooks.com
www.chickensoup.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Chicken soup for the nur
se’s soul : 101 stories to celebrate, honor, and inspire the nursing profession / Jack Canfield … [et al.].
p. cm.
ISBN-13: 978-1-55874-934-4 (hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-55874-934-9 (hardcover)
ISBN-13: 934-1-55874-933-7 (trade paper)
ISBN-10: 1-55874-933-0 (trade paper)
1. Nursing—Anecdotes. 2. Nurses—Anecdotes. I. Canfield, Jack, date.
RT61 .C376 2001
610.73—dc21
2001024690
© 2001 John T. Canfield and Hansen and Hansen LLC
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
HCI, its logos and marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.
Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
R-10-06
Cover design by Lisa Camp
Typesetting by Lawna Patterson Oldfield
To all nurses who,
perhaps more than any other group
on Earth,
truly ease the suffering in the world.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
The Florence Nightingale Pledge
Share with Us
1. THE TRUE MEANING OF NURSING
Working Christmas Day Victoria Schlintz
Proud to Be a Nurse Barbara A. Brady
Nellie Joan Filbin
All in a Day’s Work Naomi Rhode
Jack Kathryn Kimzey Judkins
Olivia Heather Black
A Matter of Believing Scot Thurman
Wake Up! Kathleen Dahle
The Night Al Heel Broke Loose Elizabeth Turner
Jelly Hearts Joyce Mueller
Boarder Baby Zaphra Reskakis
What Day Is Today? Dennis Sibley as told to Allen Klein
Fresh Sample Donna McDonnall
Codes for the Holidays Jamie L. Beeley
Christmas Magic Barbara Bartlein
2. ON LOVE
A Forever Kind of Love Christy M. Martin
Happy Birthday, Grace Nancy B. Gibbs
In the Arms of an Angel Elaine Gray Dumler
You Held My Hand F. A. Thompson
Love in Its Purest Form Maryjo Relampagos Pulmano
A Single Act of Love Laura Hayes Lagana
My Promise Linda C. Bird
Billy’s Good-Bye Gift Susan Spence
3. DEFINING MOMENTS
All Our Hearts Have to Offer Janie K. Ford
The Touch of Kindness Tricia Caliguire
A Part of the Team Viola Ruelke Gommer
To Care for Them Christine Ehlers
The Hip in 46B Linda McNeil
I Baptize You . . . Beverly Houseman
A Visit from an Angel Sarah Webb Johnson
New Job Barbara A. Brady
The Depth of This Career Diane Stallings
How Could I Stay in This Profession? Kathleen Brewer-Smyth
Women in the Military Janis Nark
4. ON TEACHING AND LEARNING
Diabetic Teaching Johanna Tracy
First Injection Barbara Bartlein
Peppy Lini R. Grol
A Healing Truth Virginia L. Clark
Finding Your Easter Sunrise Cindy Bollinger
The Old Woman Mitzi Chandler
Communication Is the Key Karyn Buxman
Meeting Her Needs Judy B. Smith
Rose Susan Pearson
Where Do Babies Come From? Elaine Stallman
Raspberries and Cream Marie D. Jones
5. CHALLENGES
Now We’re Talkin’ Denise Casaubon
You Can Do Anything! Susan M. Goldberg
“I Am,” I Said Shirley McCullough
One Smile at a Time Rita Kluny
Do Your Best and the Lord Will Bless Marilynn Carlson Webber
Pony Mary Jane Holman
Sadie, Sadie, Special Lady Andrea Watson
Lucky Charlene Vance
Cast-Cutter LeAnn Thieman
The Race Anne Riffenburgh
He Conquered It Lance Armstrong
Mr. Jackson and the Angel Pin Linda Apple
Will She Ever Smile Again? Ana Wehipeihana
6. MIRACLES
Stormy Delivery Debbie Lukasiewicz as told to LeAnn Thieman
Summons to the Danger Zone Joan Wester Anderson
The Hand of God Jo Stickley
Forgiven Bernie Siegel
Afraid of the Night Nancy Harless
And the Angels Sang Mary Saxon Wilburn
A Cherished Angel Margie Seyfer as told to LeAnn Thieman
Lori’s Wish Gwen Fosse
By Accident Candace L. Calvert
CPR Johnnie Dowdy
Voice in the Night Carin Klabbers
7. A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
Just What I Needed to Hear “Dr. Mom” Marianne Neifert
All Pain Being Equal Corinne Pratz
The Nurse’s Best Medicine Don Haines
Always a Nurse Shelly Burke
A Nurse Named Gloria Lisa Ray Turner
Dumbo Laura Vickery Hart
Bringing the Cows Home Susan Townsend
The Crisis of Today Karyn Buxman
The Assessment Rebecca Skowronski
Taking Care of Joey Donna Strickland as told to LeAnn Thieman
Pennies from Heaven Raymond Bingham
Take a Number Please Naomi Follis
Reasonable Resignation Sylvia C. Chism
Black Stockings Elsie Schmied Knoke
8. BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY
My Mission of Hope Cherie Clark
The Heart of a Nurse Beatrice Sheftel
Nurse Puss ’n Boots J. C. Pinkerton
The Pinning Dawn Koehn
Last Rites Jacqueline C. Hadeland
Heroes Rhona Knox Prescott
9. THANK YOU
A Piece of Paper Sherri Sorenson
The Call Virginia L. Clark
Love in Your Hands Ken Cyr
Silent Angel Duane Shaw
Child’s Praise Dolores Curran
Ministering Angels Allison Leigh Usher
A Gift from Nana Terri Murcia
Thank You, Mrs. Dickenson Georgann Phillips Schultz
There for Me Carolyn Gavalas
To the Nurses of the World John Wayne Schlatter
More Chicken Soup?
Supporting Nurses Everywhere
Who Is Jack Canfield?
Who Is Mark Victor Hansen?
Who Is Nancy Mitchell-Autio?
Who Is LeAnn Thieman?
Contributors
Permissions
Acknowledgments
It’s been an honor to write, compile and edit Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul. What a privilege to read such outstanding stories from such loving caregivers. So first and foremost, we must thank the nearly three thousand health-care workers who shared their hearts and souls. Scores of them thanked us for prompting them to write about their experiences. Many wrote sentiments such as, “I know this won’t be published, but thank you for the inspirational, healing journey of writing it.” What a gift you’ve been to us!
To Peter Vegso, our dear publisher, we love you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for publishing Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul. Thank you on behalf of all of the Chicken Soup for the Soul family. We appreciate and love you, Peter!
Bless our families for all of their love and support on this project: Inga, Patty, Mark, Kirk, Christopher, Travis, Riley, Melanie, Elizabeth, Christie, Angela and Mitch.
We are grateful to the following people who read and scored nearly two hundr
ed stories and helped make the final selections: Helen Colella, D’ette Corona, Berniece Duello, Margaret Hill, Mary Hjerleid, Ellen Javernick, Sondra Keeler, Sally Kelly-Engeman, Barbara LoMonaco, Heather McNamara, Linda Mitchell, Linda Osmundson, Carol Rehme, Gayle Stringer, Christie Thieman and Mark Thieman.
A special thanks to the nurses on our reading team who brought their experienced perspective to the selection process: Linda Beckwith, Jeannie Eylar, Bonnie Ford, Susan Goldberg, Lisa Heiney, Jackie Johnson, Holly Leo, Mary McMahon, Tonya Motley, Suzanne Phelan, Pat Richardson, Kay Rosenthal, Cheryl Roth, Diane Sieg, Jery Sigl, Bonnie Urie, Sharon Williams and Kristina Winch.
Josephine Adams donated her skill as a college English professor to do final editing of the manuscript. Her expertise was invaluable.
Thanks to Pat Mahan from Nurse-Recruiter.com who encouraged contributions in each monthly issue of his e-zine publication. And Kay Rosenthal, Ph.D., R.N., for sharing stories from her Rural Nurse Organization’s Anthology.
Mark Victor Hansen’s entire staff: Patty Hansen, Trudy Marschall, Maria Nickless, Laurie Hartman, Michelle Adams, Tracy Smith, Dee Dee Romanello, Dawn Henshall, Lisa Williams, Kristi Knoppe, David Coleman, Laura Rush, Paula Childers, Tanya Jones, Faith Fuata and Shanna Vieryra.
And Jack Canfield’s entire staff: Patty Aubery, Deborah Hatchell, Heather McNamara, D’ette Corona, Veronica Romero, Cindy Holland, Robin Yerian, Vince Wong and Geneva Lee. Special thanks to Leslie Riskin for her efficiency and kindness in acquiring the permissions. Leslie, we love you and cherish your friendship!
A special thanks to Health Communications for their ongoing support: Terry Burke, Kim Weiss, Kelly Johnson Maragni, Allison Janse, Christine Belleris, Lisa Drucker and Susan Tobias.
To LeAnn’s assistant and marketing agent, Amy Williams, who managed LeAnn’s speaking business brilliantly while she read stories and read stories and read stories. . . .
And to LeAnn’s mom, Berniece Duello, who by living her life in compassionate service, taught LeAnn the virtues of nursing.