An Introduction
Hello, my name is Jessica and I’m a nurse.
Being a nurse is part of my identity and even if I never practiced another day, I believe I would still feel that way. And if you work in healthcare, you may feel the same about your identity and role in healthcare.
I first became a nurse in December 2002 after passing my Practical Nursing boards and began practicing as a LPN. I graduated from my ADN nursing program and became a Registered Nurse in 2003. In 2020, I returned to school and completed my BSN. If we rewind a little further, after taking Health Occupations as a Junior in high school I became a Certified Nursing Assistant in 1997.
Towards the middle to end of 2024, I joined an online bible study for healthcare workers where I reconnected with my friend and now ministry partner, Debi. Debi has invited me to join her in building up the ministry of Salt and Light Healthcare Life. This post shares my heart, but Debi will also be sharing her story (and it’s a good one).
My hope, purpose, and vision for this blog is to have a space where I can be an encourager. I hope that you will extend grace to me so that I can have a safe place to be vulnerable and show my authentic self. My intention is to share stories from my own practice, but also unabashedly share Jesus. I haven’t been overly vocal in my faith on the job. I always hoped that I lived out my faith and that people would be able to see it even when I didn’t verbalize it. I know I haven’t always lived up to this standard for myself.
And I unabashedly share that faith because that faith has given me great Hope. And in this world and in the healthcare profession, we need that hope. Faith is not a prerequisite for resting here, come as you are.
The hope for the future is to share the stories of others. I would love to share stories from all healthcare disciplines and areas. I would even enjoy sharing the stories of patients and their families because we play a huge role in their lives and ours.
I’ve cared for so many people over the years. I’ve met so many amazing people through my work. So many patients, families, doctors, PT, OT, RT, ST, and X-ray techs, and the list goes on and on that it becomes difficult to remember. But some stories really stick out and some co-workers you can never forget. I pray the memories and details will pour out and I can share those with you.
I pray the blog and these stories are a blessing. That they uplift and encourage you, but also that they let you know that you are not alone. I hear you and I see you. There has been much good, but there has also been gut-wrenching heartache. Sometimes we are unable to bear the burden and we need Jesus and our fellow healthcare workers to help us with that burden. If we are to keep up the good fight until this race is over, we all need help on the journey.
Community. Community where we commiserate and laugh together. Community where we share our stories without judgement, but understanding, is what I am looking for. I won’t be able to build it by myself. I’ll need Jesus and I’ll need you. I hope you will join me on this journey.
Many blessings to you,
Jessica, RN
