“What does it mean to be a nurse?”

“Nursing is the career of caring for individuals and their loved ones who find themselves at a point in their life where they are experiencing a deficit. The deficit often incorporates the body, mind and spirit. Nurses take on many tasks and responsibilities. They are caregivers, counselors, educators, advocates and much more.” — Adrienne Williams, RN-BC, charge nurse, UF Health Shands Hospital Med/Surg Unit 75

“To me, being a nurse is touching, changing and helping people’s lives. Being a nurse means that no matter how a person treats me, where I’m at or what I’m going through, I will diligently strive to make their life better. I have immense pride in being a nurse. I can’t see myself doing anything else.” — Joshua Hodges, M.S.N., R.N., N.I.S. Nursing Informatics specialist, UF Health Nursing and Patient Services

“Nursing means being your patient’s cheerleader when things get tough. Nursing also means doing silly things to make a child smile and laugh, even if it means dancing like crazy! Nursing is love … it’s who we are and what we do.” — Dawn Azarcon, R.N., registered nurse, UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital Pediatric ICU

“It is often said that nurses have many roles — advocate, educator, mentor, caregiver — but only one profession. These varied roles have a consistent theme of caring, compassion and service that define the nursing profession.” — Voncea Brusha, A.S.N., R.N., registered nurse, UF Health Shands Hospital Mother/Baby Unit

“Being a nurse makes coming to work more than just obtaining a paycheck. The satisfaction is at a level that exceeds expectations and is an overwhelming joy to express to others. To be a nurse means I am sharing a gift that was assigned to me and I hope to be using this acquired talent wisely.” — Cassandra Young, R.N., registered nurse, UF Health Women’s Center – Medical Plaza

“As nurses, we are given the responsibility of listening … and then acting … even if it means to remain silent. We are our patients’ advocates and, sometimes, their only witnesses. Each nurse has creative problem-solving strategies, skills to open doors to recovery and, most of all, we take every chance to help people live the best life they can.” — Kristin Kenney, R.N., registered nurse, UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital Surgical Services

Please visit the National Nurses Week 2019 page at news.myshands.org to see our National Nurses Week Video featuring six nurses from throughout UF Health.