APPROVED

I remember walking through those doors Believing I could make a difference One patient at a time I remember staying after shifts Not because anybody asked me Because one small moment changes lives Back then it felt so simple Back then the reason was clear Funny how the years can change What brought us here The mission's still hanging on the wall The words all sound the same But somewhere underneath it all Something changed The bottom line That's what everything becomes After all the meetings After all the promises The bottom line The numbers always seem to win Somewhere between the charts and deadlines We forgot why we came in Another staffing shortage Another budget meeting Another email asking us for more Another form to fill out Another box to check off Another thing we've never needed before We're told it's all for progress We're told it's all for care But sometimes I don't recognize The reason that we're here I still see good people Giving everything they've got Trying to hold together What the spreadsheets are not The bottom line That's what everything becomes After all the meetings After all the promises The bottom line The numbers always seem to win Somewhere between the charts and deadlines We forgot why we came in If I could meet the kid who walked Through those hospital doors I'd tell him don't lose the reason You came here for They'll teach you to measure everything Except the things Worth fighting for The bottom line It's written in every decision Every budget Every compromise The bottom line The answer's always waiting there No matter what the question is And maybe that's what hurts the most Not that we stopped caring Just that caring isn't The bottom line I remember why I came I just wish they felt the same

This chart was electronically reviewed by Synthetic Medic Medical Center. Accuracy may vary depending on staffing, caffeine levels, and whether anyone actually read the note.