It’s National Nurses Week. Have you thanked a nurse today?

Published: May 9, 2016 | Updated: November 27, 2019

Our patients are on a journey — often one they didn’t choose. But they don’t travel alone.

As Tonya Anderson, R.N., infant development specialist at Norton Children’s Hospital, wrote in a poem: “Don’t worry; we’ll stay by your side all day and night long. … We care for you and your family too. It’s who we are; it’s just what we do.”

Join us in thanking nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6 to 12.

The excerpt from Anderson’s poem was taken from “Tiny Warrior,” written about babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. Read the poem in its entirety below.

Tiny Warrior

Tiny fingers, hands, feet and toes,
And oh, such a cute little gumdrop nose.
Born way too soon, yes we know,
But we’ll do all we can to help you grow.
Life in the NICU is hardly a treat.
However, the nurses here just can’t be beat.
Yes, you will have to be brave and strong,
Don’t worry; we’ll stay by your side all day and night long.
On your mommy’s chest is where you really belong.
Nestled and secure as she sings you a sweet song.
Kangarooing is best for your mommy and you,
So we’ll help her see this journey through.
Life in the NICU — a roller coaster ride, it’s true.
There are days when all we can say is “whew!”
IVs and vents and heel sticks — oh, my!
At times we just want to hold you and cry.
It’s hard to do some of the things we must do,
Because we know it hurts; it hurts us too …
A gentle touch, a comforting hand.
Stay strong; one day you’ll build castles in the sand.
You can do it, you’re a warrior; you’ve a battle to win,
And before you know it, you’ll be playing with friends!
Your strength is amazing and oh, how you fight!
To us you truly are a ray of light.
We care for you and your family too.
It’s who we are; it’s just what we do.
We persevere because you give us hope,
As we try to help you and your family cope.
Tiny gals and guys who give life their all,
So very small, but they stand quite tall.
They win our hearts; we stay in awe.
Yes, a NICU nurse’s heart has room for one and all.