Nurse's Week is coming! It is time to reflect on why we became nurses, where we are today, and where we are going. I remember my first nurse's week in 1991 when I was a student at the University of Iowa. I was working as a nurse's assistant and we got a bag with some random goodies inside. I know that I was proud to carry that bag and used it for my lunches.
There is nothing quite like the enthusiasm and bright outlook of a new nurse and I see them enter our emergency department as students and the newly graduated, ready to jump in and save lives. Do those of us who have many years under our belt still go to work with enthusiasm and an excitement about helping others? I would have to say, realistically, a big No. I personally, don't volunteer to take students because I don't feel I'm a very good teacher or have the willingness to talk all day to someone about what I'm doing. I know what I'm doing, I just don't care to explain each step. There are those in our department who routinely get the students or new nurses and I applaud them and will gladly take an extra patient if it means I have no one following me around.
Now yes, I know I was a student and new nurse too. And I remember some unpleasant experiences from nurses who didn't want to take time to teach and even a patient who said to me, after working long hours on her care plan, "I just am not up to a student nurse today". I do remember, after almost 19 years, the faces of the nurses that were kind to me and went out of their way to teach me the ropes. So I know that I am probably missing out on opportunities to influence others by not teaching. In my defense, I did take on an intern last year for 96 hours of mentoring, so I believe I have paid my dues for this first half of my career! And I must say, it was a good experience, I had a great student, and he taught me a thing or two myself! Amazing how new eyes look at an old problem you've struggled with and solved it in minutes! (Cut the back end off of activated charcoal, don't try to squeeze it through the tip!)
Nurses play so many roles and work in all walks of life... schools, jails, community centers, doctors offices, cruise ships, battle fields, helicopters, offices, and hospitals to name a few. It is a noble profession that is one of the most highly regarded in the public eye. The compensation is good even in this struggling economy and job security is almost airtight. As a matter of fact, the worse the economy, the sicker and more stressed the people, and the greater need for our helping hands.
I have wanted to be a nurse since I was 6. I know this because my mother kept an elementary journal and on the first grade page there was a spot for "What I want to be when I grow up". And in my barely legible (still is) handwriting, is "Nurse". I remember the few times I was ever in a hospital - for appendicitis, a fall on my tailbone, and headaches, and I especially recall the emergency nurses and how enthralled I was with them, even in my discomfort. At some later age I do remember thinking that was where I wanted to be. And less than 10 years into my nursing career, I did enter the ER.
I would like to thank all the nurses, from long, long ago, the ones that have passed, and the ones laboring now. It is not a glamorous job by any stretch of the imagination, but it is one that we can feel proud of, and when we someday retire, will no doubt be satisfied with. Mistakes are made, there are times we scowl instead of smile, but there are countless patients out there who I know I've made laugh, comforted, taught, reassured, and whose pain I have fought to relieve. I can't say I look forward to going to work tomorrow, but when I reflect on the past, there's no other job I was meant to do.
There is nothing quite like the enthusiasm and bright outlook of a new nurse and I see them enter our emergency department as students and the newly graduated, ready to jump in and save lives. Do those of us who have many years under our belt still go to work with enthusiasm and an excitement about helping others? I would have to say, realistically, a big No. I personally, don't volunteer to take students because I don't feel I'm a very good teacher or have the willingness to talk all day to someone about what I'm doing. I know what I'm doing, I just don't care to explain each step. There are those in our department who routinely get the students or new nurses and I applaud them and will gladly take an extra patient if it means I have no one following me around.
Now yes, I know I was a student and new nurse too. And I remember some unpleasant experiences from nurses who didn't want to take time to teach and even a patient who said to me, after working long hours on her care plan, "I just am not up to a student nurse today". I do remember, after almost 19 years, the faces of the nurses that were kind to me and went out of their way to teach me the ropes. So I know that I am probably missing out on opportunities to influence others by not teaching. In my defense, I did take on an intern last year for 96 hours of mentoring, so I believe I have paid my dues for this first half of my career! And I must say, it was a good experience, I had a great student, and he taught me a thing or two myself! Amazing how new eyes look at an old problem you've struggled with and solved it in minutes! (Cut the back end off of activated charcoal, don't try to squeeze it through the tip!)
Nurses play so many roles and work in all walks of life... schools, jails, community centers, doctors offices, cruise ships, battle fields, helicopters, offices, and hospitals to name a few. It is a noble profession that is one of the most highly regarded in the public eye. The compensation is good even in this struggling economy and job security is almost airtight. As a matter of fact, the worse the economy, the sicker and more stressed the people, and the greater need for our helping hands.
I have wanted to be a nurse since I was 6. I know this because my mother kept an elementary journal and on the first grade page there was a spot for "What I want to be when I grow up". And in my barely legible (still is) handwriting, is "Nurse". I remember the few times I was ever in a hospital - for appendicitis, a fall on my tailbone, and headaches, and I especially recall the emergency nurses and how enthralled I was with them, even in my discomfort. At some later age I do remember thinking that was where I wanted to be. And less than 10 years into my nursing career, I did enter the ER.
I would like to thank all the nurses, from long, long ago, the ones that have passed, and the ones laboring now. It is not a glamorous job by any stretch of the imagination, but it is one that we can feel proud of, and when we someday retire, will no doubt be satisfied with. Mistakes are made, there are times we scowl instead of smile, but there are countless patients out there who I know I've made laugh, comforted, taught, reassured, and whose pain I have fought to relieve. I can't say I look forward to going to work tomorrow, but when I reflect on the past, there's no other job I was meant to do.
