ABSTRACT
Out of necessity, the physical proximity between nurse and patient creates the potential for endless disclosure and in-depth communication. As any seasoned nurse knows, healing goes both ways. Sensitized and aware of body parts, sounds, and subtleties, intimacy is a common element of this vocation. Spirit resides in the body, and the sacred reveals itself through the profane. The nurse attends mourning and melancholia that accompany illness, which are symptoms of the soul and essential to meaning-making. Personal and collective stories help us embrace the complexity of life, rather than the notion of perfection. Accepting personal limitations, collaborating with the body and the healthcare team, leads to the best outcomes. What happens when the nurse becomes the patient? Robinson shares her perspectives on life-threatening illness and the value of slowing down, listening to what the body is saying, while going inward when the nurse assumes the patient’s role.
