We’re the future, and we determine what it brings.

“Bah humbug.” It’s the well-known slogan of Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character in Charles Dickens’ 1843 novel, A Christmas Carol. Scrooge, who views Christmas and the holidays as an enormous deception, repeats the retort to anyone who dares to wish him a Merry Christmas. When I saw the movie, based on the novel, listed as a film to watch during the holidays, I thought about some parallels of the story with nurses and nursing.

A key feature of the tale involves three ghosts visiting Scrooge. The first, the Ghost of Christmas Past, is depicted as gentle and reflective. Nurses have already reflected on getting through the pandemic and its residual effects on morale, staffing, and the road to recovery.  The second, the Ghost of Christmas Present, offers hope and optimism and encourages Scrooge to be grateful. For nurses, we should be proud of the progress we’ve made over the years. The holidays represent a season of hope, giving, and relationship renewals, despite all the challenges we see around the world, in our cities, and in our workplaces.

Surrounded by these challenges, we all want something better. Enter the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. This ghost shows Scrooge what can happen if he doesn’t change his deceptive and dishonest behavior, but he doesn’t tell Scrooge what he has to do to change or improve in the future. Scrooge has to wake up and figure out on his own what steps he must take to become happier and healthier.

Nurses face similar scenarios each day, as we take care of our families, go to work, and interact with our colleagues and patients. We know all too well where our profession has been for the past 5 years. Most importantly, we know what we want for our future. When a nursing leader meets with their staff, they set the tone for the rest of the day, rest of the week, and longer. When a nurse walks into a patient’s room, they set the tone for the patient and family interaction.

We choose our future through our attitude, professionalism, and demeanor. Just like Scrooge the morning after the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come leaves him with the knowledge he has the power to make his own future, nurses have that power, too.

Nurses have the power to create a positive future and make what is yet to come better for ourselves and all those around us. No “bah humbug” here!

Happy Holidays!

Lillee Gelinas, DNP, RN, CPPS, FAAN

Editor-in-Chief

To read more from Dr. Gelinas and submit a letter to the editor, visit myamericannurse.com/about-the-editor.

American Nurse Journal. 2024; 19(12). Doi: 10.51256/ANJ122404