Nurse Retirement Poems

I wrote these nurse retirement poems to honor the unsung heroes in our hospitals, care centers, and homes, who serve the needs of "the least of these."

I've met many nurses in my capacity as a pastor and chaplain, and of course, when I was a patient myself.

Nurses serve the needs of the wounded, the sick, the elderly, the helpless, the suffering, the disabled. They serve in the military, in surgery, and in so many other ways from birth to dying.

At the end of life, we trust Jesus can say to them, "When I was sick, you visited me ... For what you did to the least, you did to me." (Matthew 25)

These poems can be adapted for active duty nurses, and all those who work in the fields of medicine and health, such as doctors, dentists, chiropractors, and those who assist them.



326. Healing Angel

     by Paul Berchtold, October, 2012

Although we don't see angel wings,
With deeper eyes they could be found,
Days and nights when you were working,
Quietly making your rounds.

Life changes fast, all might seem lost
To the suffering and the weak.
Your voice was heaven's melody,
When hearing you so kindly speak.

To many a child, girl or boy,
To older folks, you gave good cheer.
Your simple smile lit up their lives,
You're cherished as an angel dear.

You've been faithful in serving well,
No matter what you were feeling.
May you always be remembered,
As a true angel of healing.


327. Long Days and Late Nights

     by Paul Berchtold, October, 2012

(At Retirement or Career Change)

(Adapted for Active Duty Nurses)

Long days and late nights, Burning flame on wick, You have served God well, When you served the sick. Hearing cries of pain, Enduring words so curt, You have served God well, When you served the hurt. Taking all who came, Both from west and east, You have served God well, When you served the least. You have been God's hands, His welcoming door, You have served God well, When you served the poor.

Long days and late nights, Burning flame on wick, You can serve God well, When you serve the sick. Hearing cries of pain, Enduring words so curt, You can serve God well, When you serve the hurt. Receive all who come, Both from west and east, You can serve God well, When you serve the least. You can be God's hands, His welcoming door, You can serve God well, When you serve the poor.

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             Poems by Paul Berchtold
      © Copyright - All rights reserved.
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Feel free to use and share these nurse retirement poems, provided you follow the Poem Terms and Conditions.

I Remember When

I've been in both positions myself, as a patient, and as a nurse.

As a patient, I've been in hospitals. I've had surgeries. I've been sick.

As a student in college, I was trained as an assistant to take care of older men in our infirmary.

These experiences from both sides of the bed taught me many lessons, especially a sense of compassion, for which I am grateful.

It proved very useful when I made numerous visits to the sick and elderly in hospitals, homes, and care centers as a pastor and chaplain.


Some Special Angels

We owe so much to the many "healing angels" among us.

I want to mention just a few of many special angels that helped me in a special way.

• In my college years, I was in a hospital for 33 days, hundreds of miles from home, recovering from 2 major back surgeries. A nurse came one day and taught me a simple breathing technique to relieve back pain. It worked. I've shared it with others in a similar situation with positive results, and occasionally I use it still.
• My mother, who died of cancer the same year as my surgeries, took care of me many times when I was sick as a child, and when I missed many days of school.
• One time my dad and brother were sick at their home, and I was sick in my home with a bad case of the flu, and no one else around to care for us. After some days, we eventually called a lady from church, who drove to town to buy the food and medicine that we needed, and then brought it to us.

To nurses and all health professionals, thank you!

Thank your stars!


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