Queensland nurse writes Facebook open letter hitting back at remarks about occupation

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Queensland nurse Caitlin Brassington, 38, has penned an open letter
The mother hit back at an acquaintance after she called her 'just a nurse'
The woman appeared surprised when she saw Mrs Brassington in scrubs
Following the encounter, she took to Facebook to write a powerful post
She has been widely praised by fellow nurses and working mothers

Published: 21:40 EST, 10 October 2016 | Updated: 02:11 EST, 11 October 2016

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Queensland mother-of-three Caitlin Brassington has won praise after hitting back at a woman who called her 'just a nurse'

A mother has won praise on social media from fellow medical experts after hitting back at a woman who simply called her 'just a nurse'.

Queensland nurse Caitlin Brassington was picking up milk for her children at the corner store after a gruelling shift at the hospital last Friday when she bumped into an acquaintance.

The woman appeared surprised when she saw the mother-of-three dressed in scrubs for the first time before she made a remark about her occupation.

'She has never seen me in uniform and said that she didn't realise I was "just a nurse",' Mrs Brassington said in an open letter on Facebook.

Following the unexpected encounter, the young mother took to social media to vent her thoughts as she penned a candid Facebook post to the unnamed woman, highlighting the most crucial and fondest moments in her career.

The 38-year-old registered nurse, who has been in the medical industry for 18 years, admitted she had 'heard this phrase many, many times, but today it got to me'.

The 38-year-old mother took to Facebook to vent her thoughts following the remark

The registered nurse and mother-of-three has been in the medical industry for 18 years

'Am I just a nurse?' she questioned.

'I have helped babies into the world, many of whom needed assistance to take their first breath, and yet I am just a nurse.

'I have held patients hands and ensured their dignity while they take their last breath, and yet I am just a nurse.

'I have counselled grieving parents after the loss of a child, and yet I am just a nurse. I have performed CPR on patients and brought them back to life, and yet I am just a nurse.'

Mrs Brassington opened up about the impact her job title has had on both society and behind the walls of the emergency rooms.

'I am the medical officers eyes, ears and hands with the ability to assess, treat and manage your illness, and yet I am just a nurse,' she continued.

'I can auscultate every lung field on a newborn and assess which field may have a decreased air entry, and yet I am just a nurse.

'I can educate patients, carers, and junior nurses, and yet I am just a nurse.

'I am my patients advocate in a health system that does not always put my patients best interest first, and yet I am just a nurse.'

Mrs Brassington opened up about the impact her job has had on society (stock image)

She has been widely praised, attracting a wave of support from fellow nurses (stock image)

Revealing how she has scarified spending special occasions with her family to care for patients, she explained how her skills have helped save lives.

'I will miss Christmas Days, my children's birthdays, and school musicals to come to work to care for your loved one, and yet I am just a nurse,' she said.

She reveals how she has helped deliver many babies into the world (stock image)

'I can tell you the dosage of adrenaline or amiodarone based on weight that your child may need to bring them back to life, and yet I am just a nurse.

'I have the experience and knowledge that has saved people's lives.

'So, if I am just a nurse, then I am ridiculously proud to be one!'

The mother has been widely praised for her openness, as she attracted a wave of support from fellow nurses, as well as people from professional fields and working mothers.

'A heartfelt thanks to everyone for their comments of support on my post last Friday,' she said on Tuesday morning.

'These comments are for ALL nurses, teachers, mums, dads, and anyone who hears the word 'just' in front of their profession.'

Caitlin Brassington, who is a registered nurse, can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

JUST A NURSE - BY CAITLIN BRASSINGTON

She has attracted a wave of support from nurses and working mothers (stock image)

I am just home from a busy shift, looking very ordinary in my scrubs. On the way home today I stopped at the shop for milk and saw an acquaintance. She has never seen me in uniform and said that she didn't realise I was 'just a nurse'. Wow! Over my 18 year career I have heard this phrase many, many time, but today it got to me. Am I just a nurse?

I have helped babies into the world, many of whom needed assistance to take their first breath, and yet I am just a nurse.

I have held patients hands and ensured their dignity while they take their last breath, and yet I am just a nurse.

I have counselled grieving parents after the loss of a child, and yet I am just a nurse.

I have performed CPR on patients and brought them back to life, and yet I am just a nurse.

I am the medical officers eyes, ears and hands with the ability to assess, treat and manage your illness, and yet I am just a nurse.

I can ascultate every lung field on a newborn and assess which field may have a decreased air entry, and yet I am just a nurse.

I can educate patients, carers, and junior nurses, and yet I am just a nurse.

I am my patients advocate in a health system that does not always put my patients best interest first, and yet I am just a nurse.

I will miss Christmas Days, my children's birthdays, and school musicals to come to work to care for your loved one, and yet I am just a nurse.

I can take blood, cannulate and suture a wound, and yet I am just a nurse.

I can manage a cardiac arrest in a newborn, a child or an adult, and yet I am just a nurse.

I can tell you the dosage of adrenaline or amiodarone based on weight that your child may need to bring them back to life, and yet I am just a nurse.

I have the experience and knowledge that has saved people's lives.

So, if I am just a nurse, then I am ridiculously proud to be one!

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