It's a different kind of convent we've chosen
It's almost like we leave our old lives behind
Embark on this journey
To learn
To heal
To be...
The person who heard your words even when you don't speak
The one who sits at your bedside, strong and steadfast, when you're too weak
The light when you feel helpless and alone
The calm that lifts and soothes your restless soul
The confessional where you set your secrets free
The sanctuary where no one serves as your judge or jury
The advocate that fights for you when you can't
The strength to uplift you when you need a hand
We give without taking
We care without hesitating
We put ourselves through rigorous discipline and training
To constantly be better
To give you a better chance for fighting
For surviving
We put your needs before our own
But make no mistake
These angel-like qualities do not make us saints
Nor do they make us warriors
We don't need to make deals with the devil to know that there are demons
We fought to get to where we are
So we could fight for you
We earned the privilege to be there for you
To be there for each other
To see through one's beginning
And carry dignity and respect through one's end
We have shed tears
Sweat
Blood
Countless hours
To do right by you
We have earned the privilege to be in this position that we call
"Nurse"