The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Oath

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher

20 August 2003

Something I became aware of this week was the power of an oath. As an outsider, we might just not connect "the Oath" to one's profession or responsibilities but I have found it to be the driving force that makes some people so committed.

It can be the glue that binds mankind to a commitment no matter how tough the task is, or how tired the person is, or how much criticism one receives.

Office holders, Doctors, Lawyers and people who must testify in court are required to take "The Oath."

As I was in the hospital taking care of my mother, I explained to the R.N. that my daughter is a Nurse and would be in and would more than likely want to help care for her Grandmother. She always insists, no matter if there are others to do it.

"I'm a nurse, mom." she would tell me.

The hospital nurse looked at me, and understood, "Yes," she said, "We took "The Oath'."

That was the first time I really understood why my daughter insisted on taking care of her. It was not just because she was her Grandmother, but because she had taken "The Oath."

In the words of Daisy Rodriguez, MN, MPA, RN written May 8th for Nurses Week:

"We care about our patients, for whom we had sworn to care, protect and heal. It is our duty as professionals....We rejoice with them when a baby is born; we cry with their loved ones when death takes them away. We take pride in our contribution to their healing that brings them home from surgery. We hide our tears when we know that saying good-bye to one may be our last time. We put on a brave front when life is hanging in the balance. We valiantly fight to advocate for our patients' rights to the best care, or even to die with dignity.

"We work hand in hand with other caring professionals in the daily work of simply providing care so that we can send our patients home in better health than when they first arrived."

"Why are we nurses? We can glean an answer from Florence Nightingale's words:

"Let us be anxious to do well, not for selfish praise but to honor and advance the cause, the work we have taken up. Let us value our training not as it makes us cleverer or superior to others, but inasmuch as it enables us to be more useful and helpful to our fellow creatures, the sick, those who most want our help. Let it be our ambition to be thorough good women, good nurses, and never let us be ashamed of the name of 'nurse' " (from Florence Nightingale's selected letters).

Many Nurses take the Florence Nightingale Pledge-it begins: "I solemnly pledge myself before God and the presence of this assembly to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully.

I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.

I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.

With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."