Being A Nurse Is A Very Influential And Rewarding Profession

Witnessing the patience, strength, and compassionate attributions that nurses convey within their care was remarkable. Having the opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of another human being was a very overwhelming and humbling experience for me. Therefore, these encounters set the foundation towards my pursuit of a nursing career.

Regrettably, the existence of nursing depends on the medical inadequacy of others. Unfortunately, nursing exists because people get hurt, cannot care for themselves, or need assistance with daily activities. Carol Taylor (2011), author of Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Nursing Care, writes, “Nursing care involves any number of activities, from carrying out complicated technical procedures to something as seemingly as holding a hand” (p. 5). Taylor explains it is the duty of a nurse not only to learn the pertinent skills but also to bond with and comfort others. Nurses have to do and become many things: They must be stern when necessary, compassionate when needed, open minded

Working with the nurse who cared for my ailing grand-aunt, was a life changing experience. I would assist with bathing, grooming and toileting as well as reading to my aunt a couple of her favorite mystery novels. Evening though my grand-aunt 's condition was irreversible, I felt at peace because her nurse made sure she was comfortable and her needs were met. The compassion, empathy, work ethics and support the nurse provided for my family and grand-aunt during this difficult time resonated with me, the nurse inspired me in so many ways and even encouraged me to pursue a profession in nursing.

Being a nurse not only means compassion, dedication, and intelligence, but the profession also requires endurance, personal sacrifice, and the need for continuous education. I have learned that nurses are some of the most caring and selfless people that anyone will ever meet. Nurses are more than willing to complete challenging tasks and care for others in a way that the majority of people are unwilling to. I am driven to bring all of these qualities into my role as a future nurse practitioner, which is why I am committed to pursuing my Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Time spent at my mother’s bedside in the intensive care unit changed my perception of the nursing profession. I realized what unique value was integrated in comprehensive nursing care, which was built on excellence, compassion, and respect. I knew right then and there that nursing was a professional path which I would like to take. Changing my college major to nursing was not a difficult decision – I wanted to repay for all that courteous care my family received in the most vulnerable time of our lives.

Each day as a Hospice Nurse I touch lives. I cannot imagine a job more suitable for me. Each work day I make a difference in someone’s life. No one can die for us, but we don’t have to die alone; and, that is why I became a hospice nurse. Every day is different, presents new challenges, and always touches my heart. It’s beautiful when talent, and passion come together to make a difference.

The nursing profession is a challenge. As a nurse, you must remember every day that you can both alleviate suffering patients by administering treatment prescribed by a doctor and by a good word and a smile. For a good nurse should not matter how hard the day was, how much trouble it encountered, but must remember the core values of the profession and why he/she chose this profession. Nurses play an important role in the healthcare system. This is why they have been correctly referred to as the heart

The profession of nursing is often looked at as taking care of sick people or treating physical well-being. Many do not realize that nursing encompasses so much more than that. It is very important to me to have a positive attitude that transfers to my coworkers and patients. I want to be committed to helping those in need and desire to be able to be a confident health educator. I think it is very important to use the knowledge I have in my area of expertise to instruct others where it is needed. I would like to be able to say I gave the highest quality of care that I could at the end of each day. I realize that not everything will always be perfect or smooth, and there is only so much I can do. However, many of the rough patches can be eased with hard work and a good outlook. I want to be able to form great relationships with my colleagues as well as the client and facilitate everyone working together. Nursing is a respectable profession and I hope to contribute my own compassion to the entire community.

Caring is central to the nursing profession, as it a way to earn a patient/clients trust and respect. What makes a good nurse stand out from a great nurse, is adding on to the attributes associated with caring and taking that extra step to ensure a patient is comfortable and does not feel judged while they are receiving care. It is the little things. Strengthening the relationship between patient/clients and the nurse/caregiver is shown through actions displaying concern and devotion. This ensures that the nurse/caregiver gains trust by the patient/client and family. Patients/clients who may be especially vulnerable, can be wary of the competency and caring demeanor of a caregiver.

When my grandmother was dying of cancer in hospice, I had no intentions of becoming a nurse. Consistently, I repositioned her because she was in pain. Dutifully, I opened her windows because she loved the sunlight. Respectfully, I rubbed lotion on her skin because it made her comfortable. Devotedly, I prayed with her because her faith was strong, and she was ready to be reunited with my grandfather. Wistfully, I held her hand as she took her last breath, and told her it was okay to go. Afterwards, when the hospice nurses had told me that I would make a great nurse and I should consider nursing as a career, I politely said “No, thank you, nursing is not for me.”

A nursing career and caring for the sick intertwine inseparably. It requires a tremendous amount of compassion and empathy to care for those who are in need. My philosophy of care is to treat others with dignity, respect and compassion regardless of their race, ethnicity or cultural background. It’s about treating people the way you want to be treated and to understand that sometimes the best medicine of all is kindness. In addition, not only is it important to provide effective and competent care to all patients, it’s extremely crucial to provide care that is genuine and compassionate. All health care consumers should be receiving care that reflects their values and beliefs.

My approaches to caring include compassion, grace, service, presence, love, empowerment, partnership, justice and advocacy. I believe that an effective nurse thinks critically, communicates effectively, feels deeply, interacts meaningfully, assumes responsibility, acts morally, approaches clients within a partnering framework, understands that people’s needs vary with developmental stage and cultural background, and views people holistically, recognizing that health encompasses both wellness and illness. I believe that I believe the nature of nursing is rooted in commitment to public service and the undeniable desire to help those in need. Nursing is more than treating an illness; rather it is focused on delivering quality patient care that is individualized to

My former patient once mentioned, “The determination to finish education can be measured by accepting all challenges and coming out stronger and wiser.” This statement strengthens my drive in achieving my ultimate goal to earn a degree in nursing. I am committed in pursing my goal because of my compassion to take care of the sick and my desire to be part of the profession that values life, respects death, and see the strengths and weaknesses of the human spirit. As I enhance my skills and knowledge in healthcare I worked as Patient Care Technician at Virginia Mason Medical Center’s Critical care Unit, I was overwhelmed with the high acuity of patients and worried families and it served as a challenge to me.

While many people can learn the skills needed to be a nurse, only a few are able to apply aptitude with compassion. Moreover, great nurses are born with an inherent need to care for their fellow man. When I was eight years-old, I became a nurse. A baby bird fell from its nest outside my bedroom window. I tried desperately to return the baby to its mother, but the mother repeatedly tossed it from the nest.

Nursing goes beyond caring for a patient during their illness and managing their disease process. Nursing includes adapting to a patient’s and their family’s physical, social, spiritual, environmental and psychological needs. I believe in treating the whole patient and being supportive of the family’s needs as well. Shelly & Miller (2006) asserts “while critical thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills are extremely important, the characteristics nurses need most are compassion, competence, faith, integrity and responsibility” (p. 291).