Nursing’s Future & Hospital Corridor by Kristina Ibitayo is clinical assistant professor at University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing.

Nursing’s Future

The future of nursing
Lies in the past,
With lessons learned
And models overturned.

To be a guardian
Of nursing’s past
Requires prerequisite love
For the profession,
And unceasing belief
In the limitless beyond,
Where the adventurous
Dream of living,
While forging today’s reality
Out of yesterday’s
mold,
Delicately blending the best
Of science and art.

Hospital Corridor

Walking
Down the corridor,
Just walking,
Listless,
No inspiration,
Vague hope.

Walking
Head down,
Feet meandering,
Left side corridor,
Maybe right.
No one in sight,
Center’s okay.

What does it matter
In the dawn,
When corridors
Stay brightly lit,
Yet cavernously empty?

Walking
Towards a destination
Without excitement,
Just another day
At the hospital.

Walking,
Wishing
There was more
To life
Than shuffling
From place to place.

Occasionally
Acknowledging
A stranger’s stare
Or vacuous glance,
Another set face
Wandering
From place to place.

Lethargic
From life’s woes
And mind’s agonies,
Listening
To a soundless voice,
Unceasingly murmuring
A bitter refrain.

Someone dear
Is lying near,
Just beyond
This corridor’s
Stout walls.

Incandescent bulbs
Garishly light
The path
For broken souls
Walking,
Just walking,
Waiting
For word.

Kristina Ibitayo is clinical assistant professor at University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing.

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