Fresh Start Devotionals

Follow through What kind of qualities do you think it takes to be a nurse? Compassion? Strong stomach? Dedication? I’d agree with all of those, but I’d also have to add an adventurous spirit. The nursing profession is actually, well, dangerous. A recent study showed that the profession had an injury rate of 18.2% compared with an average for all workers of 8.1%. Another way to state the problem is that Registered Nurses report a higher rate of injury and illnesses than construction workers. According to the nursing world website, “Among the leading causes of injury and illness for registered nurses are health care restructuring, latex allergy and poor indoor air quality.” Latex allergy, I understand. The nurses have to wear latex gloves as a safety precaution. I also understand that downsizing would increase the rate of injuries and illnesses among nurses. It is unfortunate, but every profession has to look at the “bottom line” and make decisions based upon profitability, not just quality of care. It is too bad when the fiscal decision results in an unhealthy environment for the care giver and the patient alike. But poor air quality? Can anyone justify that? Shouldn’t a health care organization know better than other organizations about the importance of clean air and good ventilation? How could it happen? Well, “knowing” something and “doing” something are two different things. Knowing is the first step, but without follow through, the knowledge is in vain. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Jim L. Wilson, Fresh Start Devotionals (Fresno, CA: Willow City Press, 2009).