On the occasion of the 114th International Nurses Day, the hospital's WeChat official account launched a special feature titled "Diary of Post-00s Nurses," with the theme "We Are All Post-00s, Capable of Hardship and Combat." The feature tells stories, shares reflections, and expresses sentiments... showcasing their growth and struggle on the nursing front, conveying the warmth and strength of the nursing profession.

At four in the morning, the ward is enveloped in a mix of disinfectant scent and nightfall. I tiptoe to tuck Grandpa Zhang into bed at bed 12, his steady breathing curve on the monitor's green light. This moment of peace reminds me of my own frantic self when I first put on the nurse's uniform. As a post-00s nurse, I have spent two years writing our generation's story of struggle on the nursing floor.

The ticking of the monitor and the scent of disinfectant form a unique melody in my daily work. When I first entered the workforce, I was labeled as "pampered" and "unable to endure hardship." However, these prejudices were quickly dispelled on the nursing floor. At three in the morning in the ICU, I was half-kneeling beside a patient, performing prone ventilation for a critically ill individual who stood at 1.9 meters tall. Sweat trickled down the edges of my glasses into my eyes, causing an unbearable soreness, but I had no time to wipe it away. This operation, which required five people working together, relied entirely on my and another female colleague's determination. My physical advantages made me stand out in critical care. Helping bedridden patients turn over, moving large equipment, and staying up all night to watch over critically ill patients... These high-intensity tasks became part of my routine. But what I am most proud of is earning the trust of patients through professionalism. A man who had suffered emotional breakdown after surgery refused treatment. I spent every day chatting with him, playing his favorite operas on my phone, and even teaching him rehabilitation exercises from videos. When he left the hospital, with red-rimmed eyes, he said, "I used to think male nurses were strange, but now I know you are more considerate than family."

Of course, the path of growth is fraught with thorns. The hardships of nursing work are not only physical but also emotional. Witnessing the loss of life and feeling powerless, facing family members' doubts and grievances, all these have kept me awake at night. But whenever I see patients smile after recovery, hearing their sincere "thank you," all my fatigue vanishes. Now, I can skillfully operate various precision instruments and have learned to stay calm in emergencies. Some say that Generation Z is the generation of "lying flat," but on the nursing front, we demonstrate responsibility through our actions. During the pandemic, my Generation Z colleagues and I volunteered. Wearing heavy protective gear, we performed various nursing procedures for patients. The fog in our goggles blurred our vision, and our fingers turned white from soaking in rubber gloves, but no one backed down. When I see patients raise their thumbs in gratitude upon discharge, I deeply understand that a youth capable of enduring hardship and fighting is the most shining form.

Thinking back to the joy of fighting alongside my team against death. These moments have made me firmly believe: nursing is not about gender; as long as one has a passion for it, male nurses can also shine in this field and protect lives. I also want to encourage more men to join the nursing profession, break down prejudices, and make "male" Nightingales a solid force in safeguarding health! (Text/Photo Deng Jili)