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Although she no longer wears a white uniform with a cap on her head, today's nurse is not much different from the nurses of the early '50s, when I began my nursing career.

In her - or more often nowadays, his - colorful scrubs and running shoes, she is still the essence of Florence Nightingale as she cares for patients, skillfully and compassionately, in a highly stressful environment. She can be found in a hospital, clinic, air ambulance or on a battlefield.

Since my retirement 13 years ago, I have stayed in contact with some of the incredible women with whom I worked. We reminisce about the service we gave to the public and discuss the changes in administering procedures and how new technology and medications are now advertised on radio and TV. We also recall the difficulties we encountered with hospital administration about never having enough help to give high-quality nursing care - the same problems that exist today. But mostly we talk about the pleasant experiences we had working together.

In January 2003, I received a letter from a nurse named Sharon. She wrote: "I saw your picture and read your article in the New Mexico Magazine. I am certain that you were head nurse on a unit I worked as an aide from 1965-67. I was a nursing student at University of New Mexico Hospital at the time and returned later as a graduate nurse to work 3-11 on our unit. I certainly remember you, all the catheterization I did, caring for a 16-year-old burn patient, learning to deal with death by spending at least a week holding all the dying peoples' hands and caring more for their grief than my own. You were a great teacher and role model.

"I am 57 years old, and now I am `the teacher.' I continued on in college and obtained a Master in Science in psychology and just finished all my hours for a doctorate in nursing. I am still full of nonsense and continue my love of the nursing profession. You were very important to me in my development as a nurse. I am still married to `that boy.' He is chairman of the Department of Language and Literature here at Fairmont State College. I tried to find you via e-mail but was unsuccessful. I hope to hear from you. Sharon."

It would be difficult not to remember this energetic, red-haired girl, who, at age 19, was married and worked hard at her pursuit of a nursing degree.

As a new graduate, she took on clinical procedures that challenged her. Her outstanding traits were friendliness, self-confidence, enthusiasm and a heart full of compassion for the very sick. So maybe that is why she ended up on my unit, because, at that time, we had no intensive care or coronary care unit at Presbyterian and we cared for the critically ill patients right on that floor call 5B. No patient was turned away. Thus, there were hall beds in all directions.

Today, nursing is no longer restricted to women, nor is it always in a hospital setting. The nurse now has many options to choose from for a job: teaching, research, consultation and beyond into the latest technologies in medicine. Men are now in the nursing work force. They add strength and skill to the profession, and I believe that military medics who wish to obtain a Bachelor of Science in nursing should be allowed to count their "clinical experience in the battlefield" as part of their training. With the dilemma of a nursing shortage, recruitment is vital and interested individuals should be encouraged to apply.

May 6 is Nurses' Day. If you are privileged to know a nurse, honor him or her with a card, e-mail or phone call. Tell them how much you appreciate their taking responsibility to conserve life, alleviate suffering and promote health as well as their respect for human dignity without consideration of nationality, race, creed or status.