Format for the Nightingale Tribute
The Nightingale Tribute begins with a short synopsis of the nurse’s career. A creative reading follows the synopsis. A white rose is placed with the nurse after the reading, with the following statement,
We honor you this day and present white rose to symbolize our honor and appreciation for our colleague.
This entire tribute takes only two minutes and can be placed anywhere within the service appropriate to the traditions and beliefs of the recipient’s faith.
The Nightingale Tribute Reading
Nursing is a calling, a lifestyle, a way of living. Nurses here today honor our colleague and his/her life as a nurse.
He/she is not remembered by his/her years as a nurse, but by the difference he/she made during those years by stepping into people’s lives, by special moments.
She Was There
When a calming, quiet presence was all that was needed,
She was there.
In the excitement and miracle of birth or in the mystery and loss of life,
She was there.
When a silent glance could uplift a patient, family member or friend,
She was there.
At those times when the unexplainable needed to be explained,
She was there.
When the situation demanded a swift foot and sharp mind,
She was there.
When a gentle touch, a firm push, or an encouraging word was needed,
She was there.
In choosing the best one from a family’s “Thank You” box of chocolates,
She was there.
To witness humanity—its beauty, in good times and bad, without judgment,
She was there.
To embrace the woes of the world, willingly, and offer hope,
She was there
And now, that it is time to be at the Greater One’s side,
She is there.
©2004 Duane Jaeger, RN, MSN
Final Tribute
We honor you this day and present this white rose to symbolize our honor and appreciation for our colleague.
This lamp is a symbol of all Florence Nightingale stood for. Comfort and kindness, gentleness and courage, and an unwavering devotion to duty. Perhaps deep down, she knew even then, that the light from it would go on shining into the future.
We officially release you of you nursing duties.