Psychologists recommend revisiting childhood interests when making career decisions. Children are naturally drawn to the activities that give them joy and satisfaction. These qualities are essential for a career that is successful. I enjoyed being a schoolteacher in my youth. However, it was even more enjoyable to care for my grandmother who was terminally ill.
I never thought of becoming a nurse during this time. Instead, caring for my grandmother was part of my daily life. While I didn’t know it for a long time, the influence my grandmother’s care had on my career decisions has been immense. As a clinical assistant at Seton Medical Center, I noticed a clear correlation. As a patient went through the stages and relapses of stroke, I noticed similarities in my delivery of words to the one I used to comfort my grandmother. In the midst all the chaos and medical staff, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of total wholeness I had never felt before. I realized that my child-caregiving role had allowed me to give my all in order to ensure the wellbeing of others. This was the same as what I did for my grandmother. My passion is teaching and I care for patients. When I was a child, the excitement of teaching others was what brought me joy. My hunger for knowledge and desire share are as strong today than ever. However, my knowledge consists of scientific method, holistic health promotion, nursing theory, and scientific method. Nursing integrates teaching and caregiving to benefit others. I am motivated by my grandmother’s care and my desire for knowledge sharing. Empathy and ethics are my core professional values. Effective healing requires holistic treatment. Unfortunately, hospital settings do not provide the best care for patients. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree gives me the ability to collaborate, coordinate and consult on healthcare policy at an administrative level. This is where decisions about patient-to-staff ratios and staff hours, as well as benefits and pay rates, are made. Leaders in policy-making positions are required to make changes in the nursing environment. It is my belief that change comes from within. I have a UT BSN and I know that this will help me position myself. My propensity to teach may one day be able to replace practical, hands on patient care. The absence of qualified nurses will continue to hinder the growth of the healthcare industry.
Nursing will not progress without the support of licensed professionals. My greatest tool is my love for nursing. I want to encourage students to get involved in the field. Procuring the field is not only a professional accomplishment, but also a personal triumph. Nursing is not something that I made conscious. It is not something that I was guided by college counselors or psychologists. It is who and what I am. Nursing was my natural instinct. I found immense stimulation and fulfillment in the field. Nursing is more than a career. It is my life.
