#1
It only takes a second to understand why I became a nurse. What goes on in that second is so clear, so unmistakable, so personal. It's a second that happens over and over as a nurse. Sometimes that second might be a less-anxious glance; or it might be the calmness of a hand that was shaking with fear; or a smile of gratitude for making life a little easier, and perhaps a little longer.
Not much is said in that second. It's all about the unspoken, non-verbal message that is received loud and clear, everyday as a nurse. It's a second that reminds me everyday why I became a nurse.
#2
I cannot remember a time that I did not want to be a nurse. Since I was in grade school, that's what I wanted to be. To be able to bring comfort to someone in need; to make a difference in their life. What a privilege.
I knew I had made the right decision when I was working in the Emergency Room. A young girl (age 15 or so) came in accompanied by her mother. The young girl was the victim of a sexual assault. It was my first sexual assault case and my heart was broken for her. I can still remember the shock and devastation she and her mother felt. Proceeding through the Rape Kit was a very difficult experience for them as well as myself. But I took my time not wanting to rush her and knowing that each step was necessary and also vital to her case.
Several months went by and my Administrator received a letter from the mother thanking me and the ER physician for being so caring and gentle with her daughter. The daughter was in counseling and was starting to make progress. Her mother said that the whole incident was so traumatic for herself and her daughter, but I had made a difference by showing compassion in such a difficult situation.
I truly believe that Nursing is a calling, not just another job. I'm glad I listened to that call on my life.
#3
As a young teen I developed ulcerated colitis and was admitted to the hospital multiple times over a five year period. There were times when I was in the hospital for a month at a time to get my pain and bleeding under control. Throughout those years I had been cared for by some topnotch professionals who could not have been more caring and met not only my physical needs but also cared for my emotional needs as well. It is extremely difficult for a young child to go through such an ordeal and being away from home in an unfamiliar environment so many times can make life seem not worth living. I began to admire all of the staff for the work they did, not only the assessments, medication administration, teaching, documentation, etc, but showing such sincere compassion for me as a human being.
It was at this time in my life as a young frail teen, that I started to lean towards being a nurse. As my disease process progressed into the need for major surgery and a life altering colectomy with ileostomy, I knew that if these nurses could get me through such a difficult time, then I needed to do this for others with my life. I started to work as a nursing orderly to be sure that this was the path that I was seeking. As I worked in this role for a few years while during my continued recovery and now development of crohns disease, I knew that Nursing was definitely a profession that I wanted to be part of. I spoke to many of the professionals that had cared for me as a patient and received good advice to move on and purse this awesome career. Now after 18 years as a nurse, I could not be happier with the choice I made, nor more proud of this great profession.
#4
I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama as the only girl in my family. I always knew I was destined to be a nurse. Here are a few reflections of my past that confirmed my destiny.
I always took notice of my mother, who not only cared for me and my brothers when we were sick, but our extended family members as well. Although not formerly trained, she was the "family nurse". One day, I asked my mom how my name was chosen; she told me that I was named after a cousin who lives in California (Veronica Yvette _______). How ironic that I found out while in nursing school that my cousin whom I was named after is a nurse!
Another time, while talking to my father, he shared with me that his 1st wife was a nurse before she died. In fact, he gave me a desk name plate made of solid wood with her name engraved: "Nurse Carter R.N.". I declared as early as the seventh grade that I will grow up to be a nurse. I said that I will keep this name plate and put it on my desk one day. I have been a nurse for 18 years. Today, my desk displays that name plate that I am so proud to claim - "Nurse Carter R.N."
#5
When I was 5 years old I decided that I was going to be a Nurse when I grew up. My Aunt was a Nurse and came to spend the weekend with us. It sounded so wonderful, the stories that she told. I never forgot and never changed my mind. When I was 14 years old I eagerly became a "Candy Striper" at the Hospital where I was born and where she was by then the Director of Nurses. By the time that I graduated from High School (3 months past my 17th birthday), I was enrolled in an ASN program (this was before a BSN program came to our area) and had already received my clinical uniform. I have never regretted being in this profession. I graduated at 19 years old and have always worked full time.
I know that I can make a difference in someone's life and I thank God for the privilege to do so. I thank my parents for paying for my education so that I can make a difference. This is my 30th year as a nurse and I now work behind the scenes in our Quality Department. My goal is to help nurses find the best way to do their work and make processes error proof with the knowledge that I have gained through all these years.
#6
I had wanted to be a nurse since I was in the ninth grade. My mother had fallen and broken her leg and I was left to care for my sisters while she was in the hospital. When visiting her in the hospital I had seen how nurses cared for her and their compassion towards her. I had looked up to the nursing profession as very self rewarding in helping the sick. The motivation to join the nursing profession was in my heart for as long as I can remember. As a nursing professional this is still in my heart.
#7
I became a nurse almost by accident. I was trying to obtain an application from my local Vo-Tech school for another program and was given the wrong form. I did not realize this until I got home. I thought about it and figured that it was "meant to be" so I completed and returned the application form. As luck would have it, I was accepted with a fully funded scholarship and the rest is history.
I have been in school off and on for 35 years and am currently in an MSN program. I cannot imagine being anything else but a nurse. It is the most emotionally and physically taxing occupation that I can imagine...however, it is also the most gratifying experience ever. That gratification occurs daily. It is the best!
#8
I was in my early twenties. I had always wanted to be a musician, but my passion for music had been gradually dying for years. I was a college drop-out, working a series of temp jobs, and aimlessly moving through life from month to month, year to year.
I decided to take a few classes in Psychology at the local University, thinking that maybe I would learn something about myself, and possibly find a career path at the same time. One of the courses I signed up for was "Human Sexuality". I was from a very sheltered existence, and this class promised to be quite enlightening and titillating, I thought. My first day of class, I walked in to a giant auditorium, with about 250 other students--I was shocked! Never had I taken a course so large. I was prepared to be shocked, embarrassed and ashamed to be there amidst the discussions that followed over the next few months, but something amazing happened. I became a woman who learned about her body, and about the beauty of all that is human sexuality, procreation, and birth.
That class marked a crossroads for me. It planted a seed in me that is still growing and thriving to this day, some 27 years later. I began a transformation into a women's health advocate and educator, and began working with a true purpose, to save my money to enter nursing school. I graduated with my BSN in 1992, and have been a women's health nurse for the last 16 years.
#9
As a teen parent with two children I discovered my self esteem and parenting skills were very deficient. I had the privilege to attend a parenting class with a very caring, intelligent, personable, knowledgeable and delightful nurse after I delivered my second child.
I completed the class armed with a plethora of new knowledge and more secure as a person and a parent. I saw a person I wanted to emulate - Nurse Gayles (deceased). I wanted more than ever to be a good parent, become a role model for my children, help others as this wonderful person (nurse) had helped me, and be a productive member of my community.
I completed high school and after a few years of working fulltime I enrolled in nursing school. I completed the Associate program, BSN program, and a Masters program in Management with an emphasis on healthcare.
It has been a long journey but a pleasant and rewarding journey. Nurse Galyes was and is one of my nursing mentors. I remember the lady with the calming voice, "monster smile", a reservoir of information and the ability to transform complex information into comprehensible information in terms a ninth grade dropout could understand. She demonstrated caring in teaching sessions, always had time for our questions and would not accept anything less than our best.
Nurse Gayles inspired me to enter nursing school and become the nurse I am today. Nurse Gayles is my picture of a "Nurse".
#10
Like many baby boomer generation nurses, I entered the nursing profession out of a desire to help others. More than that however was (and still is) my belief, that a productive and forward moving society must be comprised of healthy, productive and motivated individuals. I saw nursing as an opportunity to promote and enhance the health of individuals and thereby promote the health of our society. I chose women and children's health because I believed that good health begins for each baby with a healthy pregnancy and that healthy lifestyles begin with childhood - especially if the mother is role modeling and promoting that lifestyle with her children. Nursing became my opportunity to help change the world, one patient encounter at a time.
#11
Nursing is one of the most honorable professions to be a part of and yet can be the most demanding profession. I had wanted to be a nurse since I was a teenager; however I got married, had 2 sons and became a housewife and mother. After the death of my husband, I knew that I would need a profession that would always allow me to care for my children, do what I was yearning to do and also give me some financial freedom. So I chose to go into the nursing field. I was 28 years old, had to study harder, work longer hours and learn to become a mother on the run. While in nursing school I was voted "The Most Enthusiastic Student" and that I was.
My first year of nursing proved that I was where I needed to be. I started off in the Emergency Department and wanted to treat every patient as I would treat a family member (and I love my family!). I learned compassion and caring were not only essential but a major part of healing for the patients. I go on medical mission trips yearly and have been doing that for 10 years and know that I would never be happy in any other profession, that you could not touch as many lives or get touched by other people as you can in the medical field. Nursing for me is a way of giving back what God has so graciously given to me.
#12
As a young child, I spent some time at Johns Hopkins Hospital with a cardiac condition. It was during those visits, that I met many nurses who made a real difference to me at that young age. I can't remember anything about what physiological monitoring they did, but I do remember how their caring and thoughtful explanations to a young child helped me to understand what was going on. I didn't know if they were certified or degreed, but I did know that I felt their caring touch and it made me less anxious. I knew that I wanted to be like that when I grew up. I wanted to help comfort and ease other's anxiety in the same was as I had seen. Many people work a lifetime and accomplish one or two things. I learned that nurses do great things every day in their journey with their patients. Today, after 36 years of nursing, I feel the same excitement as I did on Day 1 when I work to make the environment better for the patients we serve. I have had the extreme privilege of being a nurse and it will always be a part of defining who I am.
#13
I was 8 years old when my father had a stroke. I helped my mother take care of him. My mother told me I would be good nurse, and from that time on all I wanted to be was a nurse. Some people are meant to be nurses. It is a wonderful profession. I love what I do and who I am.
#14
My Mother went to nursing school at age 50 while I was in high school. My senior year of high school, I was a candy striper and passed ice water, talked with patients and transported whatever was needed by the patient. I got close to quite a few of the patients and tried to make their lives easier in the little ways that I was allowed to. Upon graduation, I decided I would love to be able to help in a more professional way to lighten the load of some patients and to make their illness alot easier. I began as a L.P.N. and worked in that capacity for 8 years prior to seeking a higher degree. I graduated with an R.N.degree in 1977 and have worked in that capacity since. My love for good bedside nursing remains till this day. In every way, even the smallest, I try to instill in others the need to place yourself as the patient, daughter of, or Mother of the patient to be able to give the best possible care for them. Communication with the patient for better understanding of options for treatment of their illness is utmost. This leads to better care. I am now in orientation/competency department where I can instill my experience/knowledge in those who are just entering the occupation. My Father died with Leukemia and my Mother died with complications of Diabetes. I still strive for better nursing care for all patients and try to go that extra step to make someone's life easier or easier to understand why things are happening to them by not only doing the routine care but by listening closely to the other needs of the patient, and sometimes by just being holding their hand as they take the next step.
#15 I wanted to make a difference in someone's life. I wasn't sure how I was going to do that but I knew I had to start somewhere. I jumped at the opportunity to become a nurse. This was my chance to make a difference.
I look around and see in patient's eyes, the need to be heard, the need for someone to care, the need for someone to lend a caring hand. This is where I felt that I needed to be.
Those who need the most care, those who we cannot understand, those who have no money to go anywhere. This is where I want to be.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of a profession that is so desperately needed and no one could live without. Being a nurse is such an honor and a privilege, there is no other motivation as great as knowing that you had made a difference is someone's life.
#16My journey into nursing....
As a young child, I would visit sick family members with my mother. My siblings were not in a hurry to accompany her. I found it to be fulfilling - and I could see she did as well! It made my heart feel warm.
In high school I thought about nursing as a profession. But just to be sure, I began candy striping at a community hospital a couple evenings a week. It was the hospital where my family received care. My mother would drive me and wait in the lobby reading a magazine. My assignment was to work on a surgical unit giving backrubs. emptying waste cans and getting patients ready for bed. The nurses thought this would be a good experience for me (instead of delivering flowers or newspapers) since I was considering nursing as a profession. Those nurses were smart - my heart felt warm!
I applied to nursing school and was accepted. I received a full scholarship and graduated in 2 years. During college, I worked in a nursing home part time in the evening as an aid. What a great experience that was too! So many people needing a heart that was warm! My first experience as a graduate nurse was at that facility on the PM shift. I offered to work that shift before I left for a full time job at the community hospital where I volunteered as a candy striper. I think I was the only RN in that nursing home that evening!! But that paled in comparison to my first full time job at the community hospital - an intensive care nurse.
Opportunities were plentiful for me at that community hospital! Not only did I get a chance to provide nursing care, but manage, educate and work closely with the medical staff. I continued to go to school in the evening while working full time so I could receive a Bachelor 's degree in Nursing and a Master's in Nursing Administration. Today, I volunteer as a Eucharistic Minister at the hospital in my home town. What pleasure I receive in ministering to those in most need - my heart feels warm!
My journey has taken me to this point in time, working for JCR and with great nurses like you! You make my heart feel warm!
Thank you and Happy Nurses' Week!
Take your own journey.....
#16 written by one of JCR's nurses