COVID-19 has indeed tested many of you who stand and fight on the front lines of this crisis. While 2020 has clearly been declared the year of the Nurse, the truth of the matter is, although very different from a pandemic, Nurse’s fight the good fight every day. It doesn’t matter where you work. If you work in the hospital, in an outpatient environment, a mental health facility, as a Legal Nurse Consultant, or if you visit patient in their homes, the fight is real.

This fight does not mean that Nursing is always a war zone and there is no balance. What is does mean is that you make a choice with good intentions, not always knowing the outcome, to help someone else in need. You make sacrifices beyond measure “to be” and do for someone, what some of their very own loved ones would not dare to be or do!

Well of course this is all wonderful…then why is it a fight you ask? It is because our healthcare system is not designed to ensure that stakeholder have ALL of the necessary resources necessary to render safe, quality, effective care to all. It is an industry that seeks to profit.

The monetary perks that are being given to front line staff during this crisis is in some sense, a pacifier. Yes, I know that may be controversial for some, however it is true. I always tell nursing students, new orientee, and those with experience, “You will never be paid enough for all that you do for patients and families.” Several years ago, we were facing a disaster within three of the major healthcare systems in New York City. There was the threat of a union strike because Nurses demonstrated that they could not render safe care with the limited resources available to them.

Although many of you have personally faced the tragedy of loss during this time (your peers, friends, and family), I would like to honor your courage. Please know that God is with you and He will not foresake you. Your rewards are not always here on earth. Thank you for all that you do.