By Sharon K. Dingman, RN, BSN, MS
CNO, Presbyterian Hospital of Denton

Once a year across our country and others, individuals pause to reflect on and celebrate about the noble profession of “nurse” and the years of practicing both the art and science of nursing.  Most telling of this reflection is encompassed in the stories.  The spirit of nursing unites us and in our caring moments we become strong as we share in the human experiences of another…we are changed forever.

Within each of us are stories that reflect the wisdom of life.  We define ourselves with our stories.  Our life stories organize reality for us, give us our values, and enable us to explain our experience.  The telling of our stories allows us to share experiences and learn from each other.  As nurses we stand in a special place as we embrace the privilege of connecting and sharing the human experience with our patients and colleagues.  Listening with attention to one another’s stories is a creative way to say we care…and more!

In the words of American author and storyteller, Laura Simms identifies the “transpersonal nature” of caring as reflected in story or in other words, that which we give is given back:

“Storytelling is acultural.  As an art form storytelling is not a solo performance of one person telling a story and someone else hearing their words.  It is a very subtle transformative event that always takes place in the present and is reciprocal.  Image is not something one speaks and the other hears.  It is a very complex set of responses based on the listener’s previous experience, openness, own well of imagery and association, and the speaker’s own unspoken biases and capacities which comes from presence, intention, voice, understanding and openness to communication which is reciprocal.

“Story telling has the capacity to directly engage the heart and imagination in such a way that a deeper level of listening is activated, which opens the eyes of perception.  The greatest value that arises from a story does not arise from the content of the story text.  That is the apparent value.  The deepest learning happens in the unspoken story that is generated by the mind mixing of images called forth during the telling.  And, the space of timeless sacredness experienced in the process.  The thinking mind is kept entranced by the content, while the images dip down and uncover and awaken the dreaming imagination and intuitive intelligence of the listener.” (Watkins & Mohr, 2001).  

Reminded of the importance of attentively listening to another’s story is the essence of the very work of assessing a patient, planning their care and evaluating responses to care, treatment or services.   “Nurses come to know clients through the stories that clients tell about their health care experiences.  These stories provide information about the client that could not be obtained in any other way.  The art of nursing is contained in stories clients’ share about their experiences and the stories nurses share about their clients.  The stories people tell about their health care needs are opportunities for learning, practicing, reflecting and reasoning…the heart of nursing.”(Pesut & Herman, 1999).

“What would it take to use appreciation and storytelling as a way of reflections to define the work of our profession?  The stories generated from our practice about patient care and teamwork in time of high stress or emergent situations are recalled with ease.  How do we recognize that in the day to day routine work of patient care our stories and experiences provide wonderful and powerful opportunities for appreciation and reflection?  Through appreciation and reflection of our patient care stories each practitioner participates in the evaluation and development of their professional practice.”  (Dingman, 2001).

Every day experiences seem just ordinary until we pause to collectively process the many interactions and opportunities in meaningful exchanges with one another.   The ultimate handoff at the end of each shift or each day is a time to reflect on the day’s story.   Pausing for five minutes a day to reflect on the meaningful relationships shared with patients and colleagues defines our role and are illustrations of the caring spirit shared universally by nurses.  Our shared stories provide appreciation and healing for ourselves and others.  
                
‘The power of stories is that they engage both the mind and the heart and thus create connections between people, building a community of support and common understanding.”  Patients come with their story as a nursing home resident stated: Most people just want to tell their story.  That’s what they have to give, don’t you see? And, it’s a precious thing to them.  It’s their life they want to give.  You’d think people would understand what it means to us…to give our lives in a story.  So we listen to each other.  Most of what goes on here is people listening to each other’s stories.  People who work here consider that to be filling time…if they only knew.  If they’d just take a moment to listen.”(Stone, 1999).   The story heard is the life respected.  For in the story shared is the life of the person sharing.  Neither can be separated except by not listening.  
            
The telling of stories creates different ways for people to share experiences and learn from each other.  Authentically sharing something of meaning through story enhances connections between people by building a community of support and common understanding.  As nurses pause the week of May 6th, 2007, may we individually and collectively appreciate our stories, may we share our stories in celebration, and even more important, may we within our sharing discover what we feel about our stories.  For stories require us to look inside to tell if they are true for us and to know we have contributed to our profession.  

 Happy Nurses Week.  Take good care of yourself and one another.  
                     

References:
-Dingman, S.K. (2001). “Appreciation and Reflection Energizes Professional Practice.” Creative HealthCare News, 5(2). (2001).
-Pesut, D.J. & Herman, J. (1999). Clinical Reasoning, The Art & Science of Critical and Creative Thinking. Delmar Publishers.
-Stone, R.(1999). The Healing Art of Storytelling. Hyperion,NY,NY.
-Watkins, J.M & Mohr, B.J. (2001). Appreciative Inquiry.Jossey-Bass/Pfeiff.