Trust: The Foundation of Nursing and Beyond

For 23 consecutive years, nurses have been ranked as the #1 most trusted profession. As a nurse, I take immense pride in this recognition because trust is the foundation of everything we do. Patients put their lives in our hands, believing that we will care for them with honesty, integrity, and compassion. But what exactly is trust, and why is it so important?

What Is Trust?

Trust is the firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or integrity of someone or something. It is the confidence that a person or entity will act in a fair, honest, and dependable manner. Trust is fundamental—not just in healthcare but in all aspects of life, including relationships, business, and society as a whole.

The Fragility of Trust

Trust is easy to build with consistency and integrity, but once broken, it is incredibly difficult to restore. Consider these analogies:

• Trust is like a piece of paper—smooth and pristine when first given. But once crumpled, no matter how much you try to smooth it out, the creases remain. Similarly, trust, once broken, can be repaired but will always bear the marks of past damage.
• Trust is like a glass vase—once shattered, you can try to glue it back together, but the cracks will always be visible, and it may never hold the same weight again.

These examples illustrate just how delicate and valuable trust is. Whether in our professional roles or personal lives, we must handle it with care, ensuring that our actions align with our words.

Upholding Trust

As nurses, maintaining trust requires unwavering honesty, ethical decision-making, and compassionate care. For anyone in any profession or relationship, trust is a commitment—something to be earned, protected, and never taken for granted.

Let’s continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity in our work and interactions. After all, trust is not just given; it is built, nurtured, and preserved every day.

 

 

I am embarking on my “Getting Healthy” journey by exploring the connection between the mind, body, and soul in relation to overall wellness. True health isn’t just about hitting the gym or eating the right foods—it’s about nurturing all three aspects of our being. When one of these components is out of balance, the others inevitably suffer.

This concept reminds me of the classic song “Dem Bones,” written by James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson. Most people have heard a version of it—“The knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone’s connected to the hip bone…” The song emphasizes how everything in the body is interconnected. The same principle applies to the mind, body, and soul. When one part of us is unhealthy, it impacts the others. Let’s take a deeper look at each component.

Mind: Mental Health Matters

The mind encompasses our thoughts, emotions, and mental well-being. Many people assume they have no issues with mental health, but the truth is, everyone experiences challenges. Have you ever felt anxious, overwhelmed, or deeply saddened? Have you struggled with self-doubt or burnout? Mental health isn’t just about severe conditions like clinical depression or PTSD; it includes everyday stress, emotional resilience, and how we cope with life’s ups and downs.

There are various ways to support mental health, including therapy, meditation, journaling, and even medication when necessary. Some individuals need inpatient care, while others benefit from outpatient therapy or self-guided mindfulness practices. The key is recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical health and should never be ignored or stigmatized.

Body: Physical Health as a Foundation

The body is our vessel, and maintaining its health is crucial. Proper nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate rest are the pillars of physical well-being. When we neglect our bodies—whether through poor diet, lack of movement, or insufficient sleep—our mental and emotional states suffer.

Exercise is not just about aesthetics; it’s about function and longevity. Movement releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters. A well-balanced diet fuels the body and the brain, while hydration and rest support overall recovery and resilience. Small, consistent changes—like taking a daily walk, incorporating more whole foods into meals, or prioritizing sleep—can have a profound impact on overall health.

Soul: The Essence of Well-Being

The soul represents our deeper sense of purpose, spirituality, and emotional fulfillment. It’s what gives life meaning and connects us to something greater than ourselves, whether that’s faith, nature, relationships, or personal passions. When the soul is neglected, we often feel disconnected, unfulfilled, or lost.

Nurturing the soul looks different for everyone. Some find solace in prayer, meditation, or spending time in nature. Others find it in creative expression, music, or acts of kindness. Whatever feeds your soul, make time for it. A nourished soul enhances both mental and physical well-being, creating a sense of inner peace and balance.

The Takeaway: Balance is Key

True health is not about perfection—it’s about balance. If we only focus on one aspect, we risk neglecting the others. Prioritizing mental, physical, and spiritual health as a unified approach leads to long-term well-being and happiness.

As I continue on this journey, I encourage you to reflect on your own health. Are you caring for your mind, body, and soul in equal measure? What small changes can you make today to improve your overall wellness? Remember, every step forward—no matter how small—is a step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

 

Nurses witness horrific tragedy, unimaginable gut wrenching grief, heartbreaking sadness, trauma and death. And it’s not just rarely or occasionally… it’s every day. Day after day after day, we must face this tragedy, this unimaginable grief and then within minutes, and sometimes even seconds, we have to move past it… on to the next patient, and then the next patient. So how do we do it? How does a nurse do it?

Nurses develop an amazing ability to compartmentalize. We do it by taking the grief, the sadness and putting it into a compartment… sort of like a box. Then we close it and shove it down inside. It may sound weird or strange, but as a nurse you have to do this. You must learn how to do this… because if you don’t, the grief will destroy you.

Today I was again reminded how quickly life can change. A horrible accident, a terminal diagnosis, a death. In literally seconds, your life can change. Nobody really knows how much time they have left here on Earth. Life is so precious. Life is short. Too short to spend your time complaining or arguing over nonsense. Tell your family you love them, hug your kids, cherish your friends. In a matter of seconds…. it can all be over.

I know people will comment about people or relationships that are toxic and their need to distance or end. Yes, I get that.  There are some situations that are definitely toxic. All I am saying is… think about it, use your judgement, pick your battles. 

Nurses have a very strange sense of humor.  We have the ability to find the funny in just about everything.  I don’t know if I would classify it as a special skill… maybe more of a weird character trait or coping method.  Nurses laugh at the weirdest things.  We laugh at things that most people may not find funny at all. Sometimes it is very inappropriate and maybe even insensitive. I apologize now for all the nurses… for our weird sense of humor.  But… you have to understand that we have to laugh.  No, we NEED to laugh!  Why? It is like a release… a stress release. It is sort of like the pressure value of a pressure cooker. Continue reading “Sense Of Humor”

I’ve been a nurse for more than 25 years… and I can honestly say I still love being a nurse.

It is not an easy job. One can only imagine how hard it is to comfort a mother who has just lost their child and then within minutes deal with an obnoxious, arrogant patient who feels twenty minutes is too long to wait. I’ve been punched, spit on, yelled at, hair pulled, and insulted. I’ve had patients pee on my shoes, I’ve had poop in my hair, puke on my scrubs, snot on my hands, and blood pretty much everywhere. Continue reading “I am a nurse”

Welcome to my Groovy Nurse Website and Blog. My name is Susie. I’m a Mom, a Nonni, a member of the fabulous 50’s club, an aspiring blogger/writer, and a Groovy Nurse.

I created this site to share some of my life experiences. It’s a collection of stories, photos, lessons and a Groovy Nurse Blog. It’s about nursing, parenting, single life, getting older, and living in a crazy world. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes sad, sometimes inspirational, and sometimes “thought provoking”. Yeah I know… LOL.

I hope you will travel along with me on this journey.