A nurse is defined as a person trained to care for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital and although they have always been important, albeit underappreciated, they are becoming recognized as more and more important as our population ages and healthcare system totters.

The following was written by my good friend (Tow Pro) Chuck Schmidt in recognition of the above:

There is a person who is very important to us as we proceed down life's highway. The first person to cuddle us and care for us at birth. The delivery room nurse. Dedicated, caring and safe.

As you grow up you go to the doctor for various situations, but the nurse is the person who actually cares for you. Your pal who explains it all. If we are lucky our contact is limited. The nurse is there everyday drawing our blood, changing our adult diaper and again explains it all.

They are there for us as we leave this world and send us off to our next adventure with respect and dignity.

Nurses like doctors have specialties. The young lady that prompted this story is my daughter's sister in law. A perky happy go lucky girl who worked her way through Molloy College. Upon graduation with honors she set out to find a position. She was very lucky to be accepted by New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Ah, now to embark on her dream and her specialty. Pediatric Oncology, yes children's cancer. After months of caregiving I had to ask her how she kept so positive dealing with ill children. She answered that helping parents cope and explaining complicated treatments and such was very rewarding.

I asked her the one big question I had. How do you deal with children not ever leaving the hospital to grow up and do kid stuff? Her answer was without hesitation and made me smile. She said "They Don't All Die and That's Why I Go To Work Everyday". So when you see a Nurse tell them you appreciate their service.