"Thank you"

The other day at work I was doing an admission (I am a nurse at a hospital) and was chatting with the patient and his family. Somehow I ended up talking about an article I read that had been posted here that was actually on Alternet about a new book coming out-- called something like "Shadow Jobs". The subject line was "Would you work the night shift at a chicken processing plant?"-- Anyhow, the article was very interesting as this journalist had a goal of spending 2 months on 3 or 4 jobs that are typically held by the working poor or immigrant labor. I think I brought it up because the guy's S.O. works in some kind of plant where she is underpaid to keep benefits for her family. Anyway, she was very interested in the article and asked how to find it. The guys brother that was there talked about his time working in wound care centers, (maybe that is what got the convo started, he mentioned necrotic wounds smelling like burnt chicken soup) he also talked about Monsanto-- they were all actually fired up about the Food Inc. movie. Towards the end I said the author's intention was to highlight that we all need to be in solidarity with the worker, whether he be immigrant or not we are all one when it comes to being played by not only corporations but also by people who think they have the right to treat others without dignity. These were very down to earth people from up North, kind --would give you the shirt off their back, and they were very sweet, you could tell how they cared and loved each other. The S.O. was chiding him, how she would not let him mess up on his diet anymore or how he was done with cigarettes for good now. I really enjoyed my time with them.

Well. The patient behind the curtain in the room started making some noises like he might be in pain. I check him and ask if he is okay, if there is something I can do to help him. His wife is sitting next to him sewing. He is a little agitated but says he is like this often. He seems to be breathing heavily and a little fast. I go out and find his nurse and she explains he has really bad anxiety and she is going to bring him some medication he has due. I return to the room and update him, the nurse is aware of his condition and says she will bring some medication to help him very soon. His wife asks me about a policy the hospital has that she overheard me tell his roommate. I explain it and give her a brochure. I then complete my admission and wish the family well. As I leave, the anxious man says to me, Ma'am, for what you said about standing up for all the workers, Thank You.

I was really touched. I was a little embarrassed at first because in a way, this is not very professional to be talking about politics in the workplace. However, it was just conversation I was having, I wasn't haranguing anyone or having an argument. It made me consider, this guy, if he had not been Latino, maybe could have been a teabagger and might have been upset at me. Instead, I inadvertently reassured this man who may not have believed that others cared or took compassionate notice at the inequities that he or maybe people he knows suffer daily. I didn't really know what to say. Just looking in his eyes and those of his wife, I could just smile and tell them how glad I was to meet them.

Sometimes I think about stuff like this and wonder if I will ever see these people who I made an uncommon connection with in a short transitioning environment. The world often feels so small and perfect in those moments. I feel that we give each other hope in those times. Like there is this completely unorganized underground society who recognizes each other and there is this agreement, some kind of acquiescence that things are fucked up they way they are and while changing to the better sounds great, the actual changing part sucks too but hell, we are in this together and we will forge on as a force for good. (totally not a religiony xristy thing).

I love my job.

and thank you for being a nurse -- a much needed calling.

Great story.

Kudos

You are on to something. There is a connection, and "it's totally not a religiony xristy thing". ;) Real, nonetheless.

Thank you for the story.