Vickey, I do agree with you that nursing can at times be a thankless job but nevertheless it is a job that was a “calling” for us. I feel that most of us (nurses) realized this calling when we submitted the application to begin the nursing program. God places us for where we need to be. Every single profession has it’s thank and thankless times to it. For me, prayer and having a relationship with God has given me strength to withstand the hardest times in my life. We are built and capable to care for any stranger as well as our own families when you bring God into your life. I truly hope that your feelings about public health nurse’s changes, that this really isn’t a thankless job, we do make a difference, one starfish at a time and I hope