Nurse practitioner Juvi Lindsey and critical care nurse Marvin Delfin each immigrated to the United States and became nurses after witnessing the need for better care among the poor and vulnerable. In this conversation, they discuss the crucial role nurses play around the world and explain why nurses are like Hollywood superstars.
Marvin Delfin:
What brought you to nursing?
Juvi Lindsey:
I have another degree as a medical technologist. You know, I was a lab tech.
Marvin:
Laboratory, right?
Juvi:
When I came to the states, my nurse friends said, "Juvi, why don't you join nursing?" So I said, "Ok, why not?" I went into nursing and lo and behold, I didn't stop.
Marvin:
Yeah, I know, because you're now a nurse practitioner, so I'm so proud of you!
Juvi:
Thank you!
Marvin:
I actually took up nursing because it's a guarantee that you can work abroad.
Juvi:
Yes.
Marvin:
So, it was during my clinicals that I think I found my purpose. Helping the underserved, the poor, the needy, because it was in my community, was such a surreal experience. It was a transformation that this is my mission. I know I have the capabilities to help. It's time for me to share, and I think this is the best profession for me. I won't change this profession for almost anything. What do you think is the most satisfying part of your work?
Juvi:
The most satisfying work that I do is when I see my patients happy and they're being well taken care of when I'm ready to discharge them.
Marvin:
For me, the simplest intervention that we do creates a positive impact on patients. We have a crucial role, but the least satisfying, to be honest with you, is documentation.
Juvi:
Oh, yeah!
Marvin:
We almost always face the computer and not the patient.
Juvi:
So if you had a magic wand, Marvin, what would you do with it in order to change nursing?
Marvin:
I'd create a law that would enable nurses to practice beyond borders. Nursing or caring is a universal language. It transcends to almost anyone, to anywhere. If we could get one examination for all, we could actually go to some places in Southeast Asia and Africa. They need nurses. We can provide care.
I was in Honduras. There are some places there, particularly in the mountain areas, where we walked for six hours just to reach people. I was so touched with this old man, he actually walked 2 miles, crossing seven rivers, just to go to that particular medical mission. He told us it was his first time seeing a doctor in 86 years.
Juvi:
Wow.
Marvin:
So after the treatment, he thanked us and said, “I cannot give you much, but I can give you a warm hug.” From that time, I knew I had the passion to reach out, especially to those underserved, underprivileged populations.
Juvi:
Maybe, one time, we can do a medical mission?
Marvin:
Yeah, we can do that! Nurses are like Hollywood superstars. But unlike Hollywood superstars, we are in character forever. I was flying one time and someone said, "We need a nurse!"
Juvi:
That's how it is! I am just so happy that I chose the profession.
Marvin:
We are unstoppable!
Juvi:
Yeah, we are!
Marvin:
We are unstoppable!
These interviews are provided courtesy of StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world. www.storycorps.org