"Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation as any painter’s or sculptor’s work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God’s spirit? It is one of the Fine Arts: I had almost said, the finest of Fine Arts." ~Florence Nightingale

There is no doubt that Florence considered her work a calling, as she was a true healer who touched the lives of so many with Radical Loving Care (RLC). She understood the delicate balance between science and art with a reverence of human dignity. Her contributions had a profound impact in the advancement of nursing practice and will continue to inspire many for generations to come.

We celebrate nurses during the month in which Florence was born with devoted remembrance of her dedication and significant contributions.

We would also like to acknowledge all the caregivers who are there for others offering a healing touch.
Perhaps it is with a listening presence or a gesture of kindness that communicates, "you are not alone."  

As I reflect on my long and rewarding career in nursing, I think also of my paternal grandmother, Svea who immigrated
from Sweden as a young woman. Although I never met her because she died young, I have thought a great deal about her, studied her photos, looked at her little keepsake tin with dried rose petals and read the little poem that was held within and and I treasured the surprise four leaf clovers preserved between the pages of her books. As a teenager I attempted to draw her likeness from a photograph and as I did, I felt her presence very near to me.

In the photos above, Svea, as a surgical nurse is pictured in an operating room with a team of doctors and nurses. I was delighted to discover that she too practiced nursing, a shared heritage in a noble profession. Oh, how archaic those instruments look and how far medical technology and innovation have advanced medicine.  Yet the "caretakers of wonder" know the importance of safeguarding the art and spirit of caregiving and the healing power of Love. 

Think of the people who have touched your life? Who has been your inspiration, a mentor,  your role model? Perhaps you are a nurse or maybe you have learned the art of caregiving through the many ways you care for others. Have you reflected on what gives meaning to the work you do? Share a thought, a word an idea, share the love in your heart….

Reflection  by Liz Sorensen Wessel

Top L photo, Svea Standing in back 3rd in from the R
Top R photo, Svea standing 3rd in from the L
Nursing graduation photo, Liz
Sketch of Svea by ~liz, 1974