Nurses Week 2009

The Most Successful People I Know

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the famous American poet and philosopher, once said:

“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;
that is to have succeeded.”

I don’t know who Mr. Emerson was talking to when he made this comment, but I hope it was a nurse. If it wasn’t, it should have been.

As we celebrate Nurses Week 2009, consider for a moment the many lives you have touched. How many people – men, women, boys and girls – breathe easier because of the care you provided, the compassion you showed, and the hope you gave? As you count, don’t forget that your reach goes far beyond your list of patients; their families and friends breathe easier because of you as well.

I’d like to share a few lines from a letter we received recently regarding one of our nurses. The letter is from the wife of a gentleman who had recently passed away after a long illness. In writing of this nurse, the woman says:

“She showed great compassion towards me, my daughter, and my son while we were grappling with the emotions of disbelief, hope, fear, resignation and mourning… being away from home with a deathly ill spouse was a nightmare for me, she made the horrible a little bit easier to bear… she is a jewel.”

To me this defines being a nurse. I believe Mr. Emerson had it right. The real measure of success is the difference you make in people’s lives.

Thank you for all that you do every day to make us all breathe easier.

Mike Jacoutot
Chief Executive Officer
Supplemental Health Care

P.S. Last year we posted a video honoring nurses on YouTube. In response to the many requests I’ve had, I’ve included a link to the video below. Enjoy!

Celebrating Nurses