Dear Lilly,
I am happy to know that you have successfully completed another year of your nursing course. As you know, yours is one of the many professions which directly help the people-their body, heart and soul. Of course, you will be exposed to a lot of opportunities, challenges, and life lessons but ultimately you will get satisfaction. It will grow you as a healer. We all will be proud to have you, a healer, in our family.
I also came to know that you have dropped your hobby of taking music lessons, as you thought it was a waste of time. That news really disappointed me and I am writing this mainly to ask you to rethink about that decision of yours.
Why you know, Lily? We all know that you are a good singer; you are great at the instruments too. And you have chosen a career where you as well as your clients are likely to meet a lot of pain, problems and challenges. I need not teach you that music is considered as a nursing intervention, which creates an ambient environment for the healing process to happen and progress, relaxing the patient. Don’t you know that “the lady with the lamp”, Florence Nightingale, herself had proposed for music therapy realizing the action of music as a stress reliever? Doesn’t it sound great when you yourself can sing or play for an ailing patient, which is a less expensive way to reduce others’ pain and anxiety?
Having worked all these years as a nurse myself, I know the immense impact the music has on patients suffering with coronary heart disease (CHD), post stroke rehabilitation, a poorly understood chronic pain syndrome like primary fibromyalgia, several types of post operative pains, accident recovery, Alzheimer’s, mental illnesses, dementia, etc. Music surely has a positive neurological impact on everyone. Only for those who have an impaired hearing would find it disturbing, and for the rest it will as pleasant as regaining the different hued beautiful memories, which were once lost. Now-a-days, many nursing homes use person-centered music to create friendly atmosphere and to reduce depression and agitation. Music clearly uplifts the listeners at different levels, at physical, psychological and even spiritual levels. It is love and care that you offer through music, to others or to yourself. So, why resist the good that you can do to yourself and others? Why stop taking your music lessons during your leisure times when that makes you a better artist and even a better individual?
I agree, the syllabus you have to follow is tough and your schedules are tight-packed. After long days of work and study, you may not possess the mood to go for a music class. But, that happens only if you take that as a burden. Do you remember how nicely you mother used to sing? I know, when I say music reminds us many things, it may bring back a lot of sad memories too. The lyrics, the music and every other element may take us to the other worlds, we may lose track of time getting lost in thoughts and memories. Still, it is manageable for a smart nursing student like you to continue your music lessons. The positive energy and mood uplifting we get through music are irreplaceable, even a sad song does that, oh no, not me, but the researches tell so.
When you apply music as a therapy to patients, it always advisable to ask their interests regarding the genre. Everyone’s choice is different. Playing music to people with hearing disabilities may worsen their mood and state, hope that goes without saying. Of course, none can expect overnight transformations in patients due to music; but for sure, there will be a very gradual and slow positive change.
You are a gifted artist and a dedicated nursing student, who aspires to become a comforting nurse in future. Music will help you become a great healer as well. For that, you need to hone your music and instrumental skills, finding some quality time in your busy schedule. That’s what I want to stress, being as your aunt and as an experienced nurse. So, I will ask you to reconsider your decision regarding the same. Think well and do what your mind says. I wish you all the best, dear Lilly.
Lovingly yours,
Aunt Susan
