Nurses provide, too

I would like to respond to the July 12 letter from Susan Bradshaw regarding the proposed salary increase for the principal of Northview High School.

I agree that $12,000 could be much better spent. In fact, it would buy a lot of supplies that could be used directly by the children. I also agree and know for a fact that teachers spend personal income on items for many children. Teachers also give more than money; they give love and caring.

Ms. Bradshaw’s letter made reference to nurses and store clerks not spending money from their own pockets to purchase materials for their job. As a registered nurse for 40 years, I wish to comment.

Along with teachers, nurses give selflessly to others in need, and, yes, they would buy those sterile pads and thermometer covers she mentioned. Just because a nurse works in a hospital or agency does not mean everything needed is at their fingertips.

Like my colleagues, I, too, have bought many necessities for patients and families. When cost-cutting started years ago, hospitals took out items from care kits that patients needed. The purchasing department may not have them, or the paperwork through the chain of command would take forever, so the other option was to send a family member across eight lanes of traffic to the drug store. Many patients do not have family members capable of doing that, so, just like the teacher, the nurse provided.

As for the Wal-Mart clerks — well, I’m going to ask them.

Sandy Spengler, RN MSN
Dothan