(Prof. Sereena Shaji)
“The nature of humanity, its essence is to feel another’s pain as one’s own, and to act to take that pain away. There is nobility in compassion, beauty in empathy, and grace in forgiveness.” –JOHN COLLIN
Do you really think “Humanity” exists? People are very proud, adamant and filled with a false confidence that they can conquer anything except human life. People dream positively that technological advancement can fetch them any amount of comfort. But we all are shocked at the ill-effects caused by a tiny VIRUS on entire mankind. The most repeated word globally heard today is COVID-19.
Life has been altered and taken up a drastic change – suffering, pain, hospitalization, separation, isolation, losing dear ones, loneliness, homelessness, with which comes violence and domestic abuse. As per science, human relation is strengthened and hardened by touch. Now, we are forced to stay away…. and we call it social distancing. The physiological, psychological, emotional and social trauma are beyond description. People living in fear of unknown- not knowing what lies ahead of them – not daring to face a trial.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyes has openly addressed that the pandemic has disrupted the lives of billions of people. United Nations has called it the “most challenging crisis we have faced since World War II.” All this teaches us an important fact that all the technological advancements once we were so proud of, couldn’t and can’t stop this catastrophe.
At such a time, there are people around us ready to serve the people selflessly in different ways they can. These kind-hearts are our true Corona Warriors. We, Koshys College of Nursing feel proud and happy to salute our students, who voluntarily agreed to serve the state during its battle to deal with the trauma amidst this frightening situation.
Charlie Chaplin said:
“We thank too much and feel too little
More than maturity, we need humanity
More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness.”
Humanity is crying… So, getting an opportunity to wipe the tears of others is the most humane act. Such response in ‘ACTION’ is needed; it is the demand of the hour. Can everybody do that? When one tries to step back seeing corona patients; people are preventing burial rituals and turning their faces on bereaved family members.’We’, the health professionals: Doctors, Nurses and other Health Care Providers – can we step back?
Yes, I want to shout here loudly that when Corona phobia had filled the minds and weakened the bodies, we, the health professionals alone are moved by our love towards humanity. It is well-understood globally, and announced loudly that doctors and nurses are risking their lives towards humanity.
Times are challenging for everyone…Wearing a PPE Kit and Managing in the forefront is very difficult … “There are days where I do not see my family where my hospital becomes home ..But then I cannot ignore them.”-the Covid warriors. Certainly, I truly feel the difficulties of my young heroes-my COVID warriors, who had to wear the protective gear throughout their duty time. I salute your endurance and pray that you will be safe and healthy always.
I boastfully declare that our children possess a heart that cries for others and a mind that is filled with empathy for the ones suffering. Only this can compel them to come out of their comfort zone and take care of these corona patients.
When I look back at KCN as a team, the pain and the effort we took to shape a group of nursing students to become professionals with a heart, filled with love, compassion, empathy and sympathy for the suffering humanity is highly commendable. Hence, we are grateful to everyone and everything who helped us mould these young minds.
As a nurse, I’m sure that they are motivated and driven by certain principles that must have contributed towards making their base strong enough to follow their professional ethics. A few of those principles are:
- Cultivating humanism in nursing education, which sustains nurses’ adherence to patient-centered care amidst miseries and difficulties.
- Deeper insight into own values and life experiences that help them deal with work related frustrations more effectively.
- As a student, who studied life sciences like psychology, physiology, biochemistry, sociology, and microbiology can understand what it is-like feeling vulnerable, scared and uncertain.
It always takes courage to be a nurse and understanding that it can be frustrating, thankless, stressful and sad at times.
Always remember to be proud of the work you do, the impact you have in other’s life as a nurse, the spark you can light in an ailing mind with a sweet smile.
I stop my writing here by quoting my role model-
“You ask me why I do not write something…. I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results.”
― Florence Nightingale
BSC (Hons)N, MSC N,
PRINCIPAL – KOSHY’S COLLEGE OF NURSING