Waiting has a magnificent purpose.

I am twenty-two. I just received my nursing license six months ago. I have attended two trainings and a not-so-stunning-no-seminar-at-all for my continuing educational program as a registered nurse. I have not been into that real-nursing-world. I have not volunteered for weeks or days or even a couple of hours at a clinic. And for all of the other queries you have in mind, I may also have to say “Yes, I have not done it yet”. Well at least, not at this point in time…

I am trying to reminisce here. Nursing was not my first option. However, I’m trying to remember what my real inspiration was, upon choosing nursing as my career path. But I guess, I did not find it right there and then… unconsciously, I just did.

I find inspiration when I miss family gatherings just to attend my clinical duties; When I had to sacrifice half of my doze-off hours just to finish my nursing process; When I am piled up with nursing care plans and case studies to do; When my eyes start to say “Hey I’m tired, stop reading and put me off to sleep”; When my own grandfather got extremely sick; When I see patients struggling for their lives; When I observe surgeons cut, suture and close; When I hear the heart-pounding ambulance siren...

But for the most part, what really inspired me is by how I was still able to make up time for my family; By how I was able to find time to rest despite of the tons of paper works to do; By how I attended to the needs of my loving grandfather while he was sick; By how I was able to be there for my patients when they needed someone to take care of them; By how I was able to lend a hand to that every physician who needed my little help; By how I was able to withstand the pain of the dying as they were being transported to the hospital facility.

Seemingly, I am pressured. I may not yet be as skilled as other nurses are. I may not yet be part of a nursing facility. I still don’t know what lies ahead of my nursing career. And I believe that many of you nurses also are. But since pressure is inevitable, I would want to see it just as a part and parcel of my work that keeps me enthused and motivated. It will keep me tough as I handle people’s lives and face life’s adversities. I may be a bit tired, but still, with no regrets. I know that in time, all the hardships will pay-off.

So for the next day or so, my every waking thought would be today, I will be able to nurse something good, something better. Remember that we always have that opportunity to jump-start the life we wanted to live. And yes, God never fails to impress me. Waiting has a magnificent purpose. He gives what one deserves to get a hold of.
And so I am waiting...