During the month of May, we have an opportunity to highlight the vocation of nursing. As I began reflecting back on my nursing journey and where it has led me, I penned these thoughts in the wee hours of the morning.
One aspect of nursing that I love is the versatility that it offers. As I look back over my career in this profession, I've held so many varied roles and positions. My first job in healthcare was in High School when I worked as a psychiatric aide in an in-patient facility in Vermont. Next, as a nursing aid while attending college in CA.
Once accepted into nursing school, I lived in and cared for a dear family friend until she died of cancer at age 42. It was then that my calling to be there for people who were experiencing serious illness became known to me. My first job as a RN was at St Joseph Hospital on the oncology unit.
I continued my studies while working and discovered home health during my community health rotation. I loved the experience of going into the homes of patients and I found this aspect of nursing to be so rewarding, affording the unique opportunity to get to know and care for the person and family in a holistic manner. What a rich experience to be present and bear witness to how people cope with illness, and recovery. To accompany people, ease their fears, provide comfort and encouragement. To be there when people need you the most, when confronted with illness, suffering, and to honor their desire to be at home surrounded by loved ones at the end of life.
Through the years, I assumed various leadership roles in nursing operations, and along with my colleagues started an oncology program with a high tech nursing team, nursing education, and in the pioneering days started a palliative care program. Once the kids were grown, I returned to college for my masters degree with a focus on end of life care, education and leadership. I have worked one for a faith-based organization for the majority of my career, 4 years in the hospital, (left and worked for 2 other home health agencies, then returned to St. Joes) and have been serving for 33 years in Providence St Joseph Health.
I've worked part time in Mission Integration for the past 20 years and I transitioned full time in Mission 3 years ago. Working in Catholic healthcare has enriched my life in profound and beautiful ways. Our foundresses, the Sisters of St Joseph and Sisters of Providence have provided us with a rich heritage and a moral compass to guide us. The Mission, values, vision of health for a better world and our promise to know, care for and ease my way is what we continually strive towards. I am blessed to be part of a community of people who seek a deeper meaning and purpose in their work. Even in these difficult and challenging times in healthcare we find strength in one another.
The greatest gift that I have discovered, if I were to sum it up, is the gift of accompaniment. To be there for one another in times of grief, challenges, to honor the contributions of our colleagues in our comings and goings, in spreading joy, blessings, sharing laughter and tears, celebrations and hard work. Nothing is impossible in a community that cares for one another. For was it not St Vincent de Paul who said, “Love is Inventive, even onto Infinity.”
Liz Sorensen Wessel
