Rosario Grasso is a nurse of the province of Catania, in particular of city of Acireale, who works at theGaribaldi Hospital in CataniaRosario wanted to share with us his emotions, sensations, difficulties, and joys in one of the most complex and difficult professions that we have rediscovered and appreciated, especially during these years of the pandemic.
Rosario Grasso, a nurse by passion
I met Rosario on Facebook. Among the posts he often shares, one in particular struck me. I'm sharing it:
With Much Honor and Happiness the National and very famous page of the NurseTimes shared themine post:
Today at the hospital, my colleagues and I played two songs for a patient on our cell phones. The girl, hospitalized for a debilitating illness, never smiled, cried often, and was mostly sleepy and silent. Her sister had recommended her two favorite songs to us: "Mi scappa la Pipì" by Pippo Franco and "Ti Amo" by Umberto Tozzi! YouTube: Play... and suddenly the sun comes out, the girl starts laughing and humming along with us. Her happiness was palpable. In our eyes, even though she couldn't, she was dancing on the bed, with a microphone in her hand. She was beautiful. My colleagues and I were incredibly moved, we got goosebumps... what music can do... I will remember and talk about it for many years to come! Being a nurse is also this. 
Rosario Grasso
Since 2004 he has become a nurse by profession but above all by mission, sensitivity and vocation.
Since 2010 he has worked at the Garibaldi Hospital in Catania, in the hospital's main headquarters, located in Piazza Santa Maria di Gesù.
May 12, International Nurses Day
It is celebrated all over the world every 12st May, on the same day as the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing and the nursing corps Red Cross volunteers. The International Nurses Day It was established in 1974, in order to enhance the contribution of these professional figures.
Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system: their role is crucial in hospitals and in interacting with patients and families throughout the community. Their profession was hardest hit during the emergency, proving to be one of the most valuable professions in serving the entire community. The exhausted faces of nurses, marked by the marks of their masks, have become a symbol of their commitment to addressing the Covid-19 emergency.
However, there have been cases of violence and aggression against them, along with doctors and healthcare workers.
Here is the interview with Rosario.
Rosario Grasso, tell us briefly about your career path.
« I became a nurse in 2004, following the course at theUniversità di Catania (Italy)I started working in some private clinics in Catania, then at theVittorio Emanuele Hospital, then 3 years atHumanitas; I have been at theArnas Garibaldi, in the rDepartment of Neurology-Stroke which due to the pandemic has been transformed into Covid department; today the department where I work is finally back to being operational for the care of neurological patients ».
What are the activities you most frequently perform during a work shift?
« My ward operates on three shifts: morning, afternoon, and night! The activities I perform during my shift include administering therapy to patients, providing comprehensive care, and monitoring their conditions and needs alongside my nursing and nursing assistant colleagues. I care for patients with specific conditions.
I neurology patients They are mostly bedridden and in constant need of assistance, therapy, monitoring of vital signs, etc.. ".
Is working in a hospital a passion, a mission, a profession, or all three?
« For me, working in a hospital is a combination of various aspects, as you rightly say in your question, a mission, a passion and a profession! Combining all three of these aspects is the only way to best perform our work as nurses. Of course, this is always difficult! We know how challenging it is, how rewarding, how demanding and full of sacrifices. There are times when we are not rewarded enough.! But let's go ahead! ».
Rosario Grasso, have you been involved in any particular rescue?
« I haven't been involved in any special rescues lately, but obviously, hospital workers like me witness serious rescue cases every day and problems arising from the worsening of some patients. By coordinating the interventions between nurses, healthcare workers, and doctors, we try to avoid the worst. We are always there to provide the best possible care for each patient; our goal is their health.! ».
Rosario, what are the problems that a nurse most often faces?
« The problems nurses most often face are staff shortages, a fairly common occurrence in any hospital in Italy. This often slows down our ability to provide comprehensive patient care.».
Patients face many physical and psychological challenges. What's your experience in intensive care during COVID?
« Working in the department dedicated to the care of COVID patients was truly a physical and psychological challenge for me and my colleagues! The biggest challenge was working in suits, FP3 masks, goggles, and other protective gear almost daily for long hours. I admit it wasn't easy. Caring for patients without the ability to breathe, see clearly, drink, or go to the bathroom, and dealing with sweat, was truly arduous. By the end of the shift, it felt like we'd run a marathon!
It is not possible to work with such clarity but the commitment, assistance and passion have never been lacking for the good of the patient.. It was also very difficult to see intubated patients suffering or even dying, despite everyone's efforts to save them.! ".
What were the best and most satisfying moments?
« The best and most satisfying moments are the smiles, thanks, or appreciation from patients or their families for helping them during their hospital stay. I can't help but feel satisfied when patients, with whom I've established a dialogue and gotten to know each other, leave the hospital and are happy to go home on their own! For us nurses—and I'm certainly speaking for the majority—it doesn't take much to be gratified! This is the "fuel" for our profession! ».
What do you find rewarding about this job?
« What is gratifying in my work, as already mentioned, is everything that patients transmit to us after having supported them during their illness, hospitalisation or an emergency.! ".
Rosario Grasso, how has the role of the nurse changed in recent years and why?
« The role of the nurse has changed so much in recent years, and I can say it's still changing! Even nurse training has changed in recent years! Above all, the approach to patients and the way of working have changed, with ever-increasing new and innovative equipment and technologies! Today, there's a lot of professionalism!».
This is what Rosario told us, this is what he experiences every day in a profession that requires competence, empathy, dedication, and sacrifice.
Thank you to everyone in healthcare!
