One of my favorite quotes relating to service is from the
book Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle. He states that “We are not called
to be successful, but faithful. When we surrender our need for results and
outcomes, success becomes God’s business.” Last week I posted this quote as my
Facebook status as many of my friends are either starting new jobs or heading
back for another year of school and being successful is undoubtedly on a lot of
people’s minds. In attempting to inspire others, I think God was gently trying
to remind me to pay attention to the wisdom Fr. Greg shares.
Just a few weeks ago I came to Savannah, raring to go, new
scrubs and all, prepared to try to make the people of Savannah a little
healthier I suppose. Well, once I stepped into the clinic, it dawned on me that
I still have quite a lot to learn…I’m completely unfamiliar with all of the
Georgia nursing regulations and the health system down here; I realized I don’t
recognize the electronic medical record system the clinic utilizes, and even
the blood pressure monitors look completely different. I can finally answer the
phone, but if a client calls with more than a simple question, I have to put
them on hold while I find more experienced staff.
Then, one night I was over at the Good Samaritan Clinic for
one of their medical clinic nights. I was in the back learning the process of
assigning patients to rooms when I heard someone urgently looking for a nurse.
Being that I’ve only been an RN for about 6 weeks, let’s just say I was somewhat
hesitant to be the first person to respond. Luckily there was no overwhelming
medical emergency; someone just wanted a nurse to sit with a patient who was
making a scene in the waiting room until it was her turn to be seen. I was
happy to sit and talk with this interesting, pleasant woman until she was
called back. She shared with me only a little bit about her medical conditions,
and mostly about her life in Savannah. Later on her way out she thanked me for
taking the time to listen to her, but really I was so thankful for the simple
human connection we shared that night. She was a necessary reminder to me that
even amidst all the transition and attempting to figure out all the medical
equipment and regulations, that’s what life is all about- the human connection.
She reminded me that I don’t necessarily have to concern myself with the
results and the outcomes, the numbers on the machines, but more so with being
faithful to God and what God is about in each and every person we encounter.
Only then can we truly be “successful.”
Cara Brindley - St. Mary's Health Center - Svannah, GA
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