Humanitarian work is many nurses´ every day experience. Doing so much of the heavily lifting in the world of medicine takes character, advanced social skills and a love of humanity. The work of a nurse is often misunderstood and undervalued, but nurses know what they do and why. And they keep on doing it.
There is no saying where nursing will take you. It might transport you to another world, lead to travelling around this one, or plummet you into a career in a field you´d never have even considered before. Often, an associate degree is just the beginning for a young nurse. Many look back on their careers with pride and joy in their hearts for the people they´ve met and touched through their work.
Nurse Chandy
Indian nurse Mercy Chandry is one nurse whose caring hands have welcomed thousands of babies into this world. She worked as a maternity nurse in the Ajman medical district (in the United Arab Emirates) from 1976 until June, 2016, and was the oldest practicing nurse in the emirate.
Aged 63, nurse Chandy, who completed 40 years of service this year, was honored by Ajman Police and the heart-warming gesture made her shed tears of joy.
“It really surprised me,” said nurse Chandy. “This is the first time in my life that that I am awarded.”
Chandy arrived in Abu Dhabi in 1976 when she travelled from her home in Kerala, India. Her father, who was working in Abu Dhabi, brought her there soon after she finished her nursing course in Delhi. After an interview in Abu Dhabi, she took a position as a maternity nurse in the Ajman Medical District, in an 8-bed maternity hospital operated out of a villa. Later, she moved to Al Zahra Hospital and then to Shaikh Khalifa Hospital, where she is working now.
Chandy stayed in a hostel for the first four years. She got married in 1980 and then moved to Dubai with her husband. In 1986, they moved back to Ajman so they were closer to the hospital.
Chandy is scheduled to retire next year. “I love UAE, I feel I am a part of this country and have witnessed the growth of Ajman Medical District,” says Chandy.
“Maternity nurses take great pride in bringing new life into the world every day. We are proud that our care helps families move past fear and anxiety to experience the excitement and joy of this special time,” she said. But for now, Chandy is happy and satisfied with her job.
Edith Cavell
Edith Cavell was a vicar's daughter. She was also the English matron of a teaching hospital and an influential pioneer of modern nursing in Belgium.
When World War I broke out, she was visiting her mother in England. She went back to Belgium quickly, though, because she felt her nursing skills would be needed more than ever in the occupied country of Belgium. She could have simply stayed safely in England.
Edith's hospital in Belgium became a Red Cross hospital. Wounded soldiers of all nationalities were treated there. Her strong Christian beliefs motivated her to help everyone she came across that was in need – both German and Allied soldiers. She once said, "I can't stop while there are lives to be saved.”
However, when a group of wounded British soldiers, who had been cut off from their comrades, arrived, Edith had to face a difficult dilemma – if she helped the soldiers, she would put the neutrality of the Red Cross at right. It could put the people working around her in danger, too.
But if she refused to help them, they might get executed, along with any civilians who had harbored them.
Edith decided to help them despite the risks. "Had I not helped, they would have been shot", she said. Edith then agreed to join a Belgian underground movement and helped more than 200 allied soldiers escape to neutral territory.
When the network was betrayed, she was arrested, found guilty of treason and sentenced to death.
The execution was carried out by a firing squad, on October 12th, 1915, in Brussels. Edith was wearing her nurse's uniform.
She immediately became a national heroine to the British.
However, Edith never wanted to be a martyr; to Edith the protection of hunted men was a Christian and humanitarian act for which she was prepared to face the consequences.
There are celebrated and dedicated nurses everywhere. And you don´t have to be willing to die to work with the Red Cross, of course! Any contribution can make a difference to the lives of people who may not have access a nurse´s care on a daily basis. Often, the more training you receive, the more you can help others, but we support you at whatever level you are. Please don´t hesitate to get in touch if you´d like us to support you with a winning personal statement of purpose.
