What is Your Expertise?

I take my car to the mechanic when it's not working because that is their specialty. I have full confidence in the shop to change and rotate my tires and diagnose the reason my blue tooth won't connect or why my heater doesn't want to blow heat when it's less than 20 degrees outside. While I could open up a book about cars,  my car's make and model specifically, and follow the YouTube video about how to check out the engine and heating systems, I choose to go to an expert. Why not put trust in someone who works with cars day in and day out? Lazy? I prefer to think of it as a wise use of resources. I could learn to change my own oil, but when it comes to the engine function I'm leaving that to the people who know what they are doing.

I often forget that is how the world sees us as healthcare providers. Doctor or nurse, I hear frequently:

But you've seen this before? 
And you know it works?
And your confident he/she will be ok?
Did others make the same decision? Are we making the right decision? 
What would you do if you were us?

I encountered two different families last week asking these very questions. They were asking about quality of life for their loved one and if they were making the right decision. I humbly listened to each group feeling honored that they asked for my professional opinion and advice while I felt somewhat naive to the emotional weight of such decisions, seeing as these people were old enough to be my parents! And yet, young or not, they trusted my expertise as a nurse, and as a person who understood the circumstances and cared.

Knowledge is a privilege and one that should not be taken lightly. I am blessed to be in such a position each day at work, and moments like this remind me to use the gifts and experience I have. I cannot tell someone what they should do, but I can offer pros and cons to each side and help them understand the options and fill in the knowledge gaps to make the picture a little clearer.

Sometimes we forget that others look to us for advice on the things we're used to seeing and doing every day. Embrace your gifts and talents in what you do, no matter what that may be. It takes all kinds to make this world go round, and if we all knew the same things it wouldn't get us much of anywhere.

Recognize your daily value and share it with the world.