A compassionate spirit, animal lover
Mom's push to do volunteer work for the summer
A candy striper in a funny uniform
Important jobs, delivering mail, flowers and newspapers
No direct patient contact!
I wanted more

Everyday was exciting
Busy units, hustle and bustle,
Lots of people helping people
Sick people reaching out of comfort and help
No direct patient contact!
I wanted more

Senior career day
Shadow a nurse for four hours
An observant eye
Tired legs
Information overload
Nurses do everything
No direct patient contact!
I definitely wanted more

Right out of high school
Into a three year hospital school of nursing program
Within the first three months
I was a student nurse in a funny uniform
So much information to learn
Finally direct patient contact

The first time
My touch soothed a patients suffering
A cool cloth reduced a fever
Rubbing the back stopped the pain
Listening was all that was needed
A patient smiled and said thank you
I knew
That if I could make a difference in just one person
Make one patient feel better
The career for me was bedside nursing

Thirty years later
Critical care nursing in a funny uniform
Twelve- fourteen hour shifts, tired legs
Many changes, information overload
Still much to learn, even more to teach
Middle management
Sadly less direct patient care
I can still make a difference
I am proud to be a nurse

—Nancy Paroly, RN
Long Island Jewish Medical Center