I Began Nursing At 10 Years Old

I want to take this opportunity to tell the world why I am going to nursing school. Maybe no one will see this. That's okay, it needs saying anyway. If one person is inspired, mission accomplished! This is just my own story and I find that firsthand truth is the most valuable. Enjoy and God bless. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

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I Began Nursing At 10 Years Old

Standing beside a bed. Feeling alone. Wondering how to accomplish this impossible task. Feeling the pain of the man before me, struggling to breathe. Hoping anything I could do might make a difference. Beeping machines, tubes, and wires. Strange words I do not know. Strangers towering above me. This patient was dying and there was nothing in my nursing skills that could stop it. I was 10 years old.

This man was my grandfather.

In that moment, I knew I would be a nurse.

I could not be a nurse because I would go to a school and learn about patient care or sterile fields or doctors or anything else. I could not be a nurse because I got letters after my name and got a paycheck for my time. I could not be a nurse because I clocked in and out and attended staff meetings. Granted, all of those things are essential to the job of a nurse.

I believe I chose to be a nurse because I hurt with the hurting and I cared whether he would recover. I believe I chose to be a nurse because it mattered to me that his nurse respectfully stood outside the room door and waited for us to finish praying. That day, standing below the level of the side rails and watching her hand gently hold his as she convinced him to take altogether too many PO meds. That day, listening to her voice calmly answering each of his delirious questions and fears. She could not keep him from dying a few days later but her love and compassion left a lasting mark on a child. I have not the faintest idea who or where that nurse is today. But I do know she affected my life profoundly.

A few years prior in 2002, my mentally disabled aunt was no longer able to live at home with her ailing mother and was sent to a nursing home where she passed away. Bear in mind, this was my first memorable experience with a relative in a medical facility. The hardness and uncaring were hard to watch but at that time, I had notions of necessary evil, pick your poison, etc. as far as how sick people were cared for. The fact that I observed those things and wanted to do my part in changing them is why, four years later, when I stood at my grandfather's bedside and realized there is a better way, I determined that I must do my part in contributing to that good way.

Of course there were many other occurrences through the following years that confirmed my desire even more but these two stand out as the first and the most significant.

Today, nine years after the revelation that there are good nurses, I am working on prerequisites and application to San Antonio Baptist School of Health Professions. I've heard all the stories about hard work, caffeine addictions, sleepless nights, and a strong urge to run down a back alley pulling one's hair out and screaming at the stars. I imagine, being the strongly emotional person that I am, that I will experience many or all of those at one point or another. But I've also heard about a life changed, dignity restored, a moment saved, and a faith restored and I MUST be a part of that.

I am not seeking a career, a job, or a paycheck so after I gain the skills I may or may not continue to work indefinitely in a hospital setting. I am a Christian and I plan to make myself available to the community, through the love of Jesus Christ, to anyone hurting or in need. I am going into this to live the love of Jesus Christ and only by His strength and power do I do anything I do.

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ReadyToListen

About ReadyToListen, CNA, EMT-B

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How lovely! Thank you for sharing. As a nursing student looking back, my calling was not as clear cut, but I knew that I wanted to serve my LORD Jesus. As I have grown older, I have seen the verse in Proverbs 16 come to life, "A man's heart deviseth his way, but the LORD directeth his steps".

I am now in LPN school, with hopes of going on the mission field. I too, am not seeking money or gratification. I want to serve people and show them the love of Jesus.

For encouragement, nursing school is hard, but it is the end that counts. I have learned and am learning not to complain but instead to depend on Christ. It would be no use to me if I graduated well, but had wasted my whole school time complaining and being a bad example to my classmates. Therefore, I am going to 'redeem the time', and 'make the most of every opportunity'.

Blessings on your journey. May the LORD continue to guide you as you follow Him.

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Specializes in NICU.

Your story is so inspiring and I do believe you will be an amazing nurse because of what you've seen and been through. God Bless your efforts to become a nurse!

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Hi,

Like you, I began my "unpaid" nursing career at the age of 8, for different reasons than those you have described in your post. I witnessed domestic violence, mental illness, drug addiction, high-risk behaviors, and clinical depression in my own family. Learning to cope with that and help my grandmother tube feed my grandfather after his massive stroke prepared me for a great deal.

One of the things you will NOT learn in nursing school is how to protect your psyche from manipulative patients or their families. Being a sensitive soul, in tune with other people's suffering is both good and bad. It makes you a caring individual; it also makes you a target for being abused.

Nursing is about balancing your commitment with the time limits the hospital environment sets for you to accomplish patient goals. I have been an RN for over 13 years, and prior to this career, I was a Respiratory Therapist for 10 years. What experience teaches you is that all patients want to be treated with respect and kindness.

Never mistake "fairness" for equitable care. Fairness is a very subjective concept, whereas equity in health care delivery means all patients are treated with the same level of professional courtesy and equal treatment. Where we get caught up is when people want more then time constraints allow for. This is where you will have to learn to set limits in your career, or you will adopt stray patients and they will adopt you...LOL

I recommend you set about your plan to become an RN by asking your local teaching hospital to set up a few days for you to "shadow" with an experienced, dedicated RN who can really show you what hard work you are in for. Becoming a nurse is a great goal; being a nurse requires fortitude, critical thinking abilities, a strong back bone, an even stronger constitution, and the ability to motivate others around you.

I wish you the VERY BEST luck as you pursue your endeavors; we need more people like you in the nursing profession. Please remember that the expectations for nurses are that we are dedicated lifelong learners and that we serve our communities with dignity and respect for ALL individuals. This may test your Christian values; they certainly have tested mine over the years...that said, you seem to have the right motivation for wanting to make a difference in health care.

Stay very focused and seek good mentors.

Franny Montalvo, BSN, RN, RCP

Richmond, VA.

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Such nice comments from everyone, thanks for the encouragement! I did neglect to mention that I work for resource pool as a clerk-soon-to-be-CNA and I spend most of my working time (as much as I can milk :) ) in the ER with 15 beds and approx. 6 fantastic nurses that I really, really love!! So no fear of chickening out...but there is so much to learn..... Love you guys!

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