We live in the United States of America. United we stand, divided we fall is a phrase used in many mottos, meaning only in unity can we succeed. 

American Revolution patriot Patrick Henry referenced the phrase in his final public speech before he died.

A quote by the German playwright and poet Friedrich von Schiller about the strength of unity says, “Even the weak become strong when they are united.” A quote by British statesman Winston S. Churchill about channeling unity for life’s purpose says, “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.”

Even in the New Testament (Mark 3:25), it says, “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

In the preamble of the constitution, it starts with “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union”. It does not say “just our people who think like us.”

The reason I mention this is that we are entering a very divided political season. And, our communities are a mini cosmos, a well-ordered whole… subject, unfortunately, to the outside divisions that can bring division. I remember during the pandemic how so many people became angrily divided between vax or not vax, mask or not mask. Even with regulations stating what we must do. 

The communities that not only survived but thrived were the ones that put the collective whole’s good first, uniting as a team. And that’s what we should do now as we prepare for the “mean, nasties” of the political season. 

I realize we are not going to agree with each other’s political views. Isn’t that what makes our country great, that we are allowed to have different points of view?  But we have gotten to a point where if we disagree, we take it as a personal affront and feel the need to attack.

That, my friends, is fear of change, but we only have so much control. At this point, you probably aren’t going to change someone’s opinion, so why fight about it? Why take a different opinion personally?  I might love stinky blue cheese. The idea of that may make you want to barf. But I don’t think you’ll attack me and slander me because I love blue cheese. 

So, let’s unite about what we can unite about. Our residents’ well-being, our community culture, our support for our teammates. Besides, politics have no place in long-term care, unless it is to help a cognitively intact resident access legal voting. 

So, let’s stand united and not let our “house” collapse. We need each other… united. And can I have a cracker for my stinky blue cheese please?

Just keeping it Real,

Nurse Jackie

The Real Nurse Jackie is written by Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC, Senior Director of Clinical Innovation and Education for Mission Health Communities, LLC, and an APEX Award of Excellence winner for Blog Writing. Vance is a real-life long-term care nurse. A nationally respected nurse educator and past national LTC Nurse Administrator of the Year, a 2024 McKnight’s VIP Woman of Distinction award winner, and an accomplished stand-up comedienne. The opinions supplied here are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her employer or her professional affiliates.

The opinions expressed in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News guest submissions are the author’s and are not necessarily those of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News or its editors.

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