The “Lady” With the Lamp – Modern-Day Nursing in Mental Health

Sanford’s modern-day nurses – author Michelle Koets, RN (middle), with nurses from the team!

What would life be like without nurses? Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern-day nursing, devoted her life to the service of others. She felt called to help as a young woman and made it her life’s passion. Florence worked deliberately to educate herself in the art and science of nursing at the cost of the approval of her family and the culture they lived in. But when she saw those who were sick and needed care, she could not turn away.

 

The Lady With the Lamp – Modern-Day Nursing in Mental Health

Florence was nicknamed “The Lady with the Lamp” and was known as a “ministering angel.” According to Wikipedia, Florence Nightingale was also known to “glide quietly along each corridor” and “every poor fellow’s face softened with gratitude at the sight of her.” Though much has changed since this icon’s day, nursing is still very much both an art and a science. Although every face may not soften when I walk the halls of Sanford Behavioral Health, a healing alliance is created between clients and the nursing staff here every day. Front-line 24/7 nursing coverage provides a safety net for addiction, eating disorders, and mental health treatment.

Let me show you a “typical” day for a nurse at Sanford Behavioral Health:

The day’s census shows a number of patients. My day begins with hot coffee, a comfortable pair of HOKAs, and a positive mindset. The first thing I receive is a report from the outgoing nurse about the status of each patient in our care. This helps me prioritize which patients I should observe and in what order.

 

During Ms. Nightingale’s Day, some of her patients preferred to call her “The Lady with the Hammer” because she once used one to break into locked storage to access medicine to treat the wounded. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way since then. In fact, today’s nurses must check to make sure the narcotic count is correct and that everything from the previous shift is accounted for.

 

 

Modern-day nursing is always changing.

The day continues as a team of nurses care for their patients, checking vital signs, administering medications, and doing assessments. The environment is always changing, which requires us to assess and reevaluate the situation constantly. Nurses must preemptively put out fires before they become problems. For instance, a patient has been pacing up and down the hallway, being very agitated and raising his voice. He approaches the desk and wants to leave treatment immediately. A loud bang is heard down the hallway as a patient stumbles and almost lands on the floor. The lab calls the nurse’s station and reports that a particular patient has blood work at critical levels.

 

We prioritize, delegate, and manage these incidents as they occur. Fortunately, I am part of a team that I highly value and rely on for help and collaboration.

 

Notifications and the unexpected are part of modern-day nursing.

Suddenly, a notification pops up explaining that the patient we expected to arrive in two hours has arrived. Another notification states that he may need a wheelchair. I make sure my patients will be cared for while I’m off the unit and gather myself for the unexpected as I head to admissions.ย 

 

It turns out this patient has been to Sanford before, and their spouse immediately recognizes me. I can see them relax visibly and feel comfortable with their surroundings. Our patient, however, is aggressive, and their preliminary breath test is four times the legal limit. Unfortunately, they must first be transferred to a partner hospital for stabilization before we can admit them. I do my best to provide empathy and comfort to the patient and their family, encouraging them to work through the process of recovery despite any setbacks along the way. I return to the floor empty-handed and get back into the mode of attending to other patients.

 

The art of modern-day nursing remains much the same.

While science and technology have advanced tremendously since the days of nurses like Florence Nightingale, the art of modern-day nursing remains much the same. The best nurses have a heart for people, not just scientific know-how. They provide those intangible qualities of empathy, concern, and discretion that can’t be taught in a classroom but exude from a person who truly cares for the well-being of others around them. It is not just “ladies” who go into nursing; nurses come from all walks of life. About 12% of nurses in the United States are male-gendered, which is a higher percentage than at any other time in history.

 

A special thanks to our Sanford Behavioral Health nursing team for all that you do for our patients!

 

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, eating disorders, or co-occurring mental health conditions, donโ€™t wait to change your life. Click the link below to speak with an admissions specialist today.

 

Michelle Koets has over 25 years experience as a Registered Nurse and has practiced at Sanford Behavioral Health since September 2021. She is currently a charge nurse at Sanford with an enthusiasm for addiction medicine. She enjoys gardening, roller skating, and reading in her spare time.