Nothing but Nursing

[Njpigott, BSN, RN]

It was the 1970's. I was about 10 years old and I was glued to the TV watching a series called "Emergency!" I was also crushing on my favorite firefighter Johnny Gage, secretly hoping someday someone like him would save me too. As much as I enjoyed staring at Johnny, my favorite character was a nurse at the hospital named "Dixie McCall." She wore a crisp white uniform and cap. Wow. I was mesmerized. I knew I would wear that uniform someday. And I did.

My desire to be a nurse started early on. I remember my first toy medical kit. I used to practice giving shots to my dolls with that red toy syringe. In kindergarten I told everyone that I was going to be a nurse when I grew up. Everyone's words were the same..." you'll change." I never did. To this day, I am still reminded by my family how I never wavered from my decision to become a nurse and help others. There was never anything else for me. In fact, I remember that my most sought after Girl Scout badge, not a surprise, was the First Aid badge. I had to have it. I even volunteered at the school nurse's office organizing supplies. Who can relate to that?

Then came the Candy Striper days. Now that was something. I was going to see real live sick people! My best friend volunteered to be a Candy Striper as well. She was so squeamish that she insisted I look in the room first to tell her if there was anything bloody before she went in. (Turns out she signed up just to be with me and to wear the cute uniform!) My friend and I still laugh about it to this day. Every week I delivered flowers and mail with a sense of pride knowing I was doing something very important.

From there, it really happened, as I knew it would. On to nursing school, the real deal. I successfully made it to graduation and will never forget that first job. Wow, I was so proud to be living my lifelong dream. I quickly figured out that being a nurse becomes a part of you, and it doesn't even matter if it's your day off. You'll still talk shop with anyone! There's always that elderly man on the beach that takes off his shirt to show you his open heart surgery scar, right? How about when you are out dining with other nurses? You can eat no matter what the conversation is, but what a way to clear the rest of the table! It wasn't too long into my marriage when my husband figured out that no dinner conversation is ever off limits between nurses.

Oh, and the friendships I have made in this career. I remember the camaraderie I felt while working in the ICU. When my critically ill patient rolled up from surgery, it was always such a welcome sight to have a few fellow nurses show up, all hands on deck.

In conclusion, there have been many happy moments and definitely a few tears shed by this Dixie McCall, but the pride I felt every day walking into my patient's room at the beginning of a shift saying "I'm going to be your nurse today" is unsurpassed. These patients trusted me with their lives at their most vulnerable moments and that is truly special.

It has always been nothing but nursing for me. I enjoy being a part of the "most trusted profession." Even though in my case it all started with a TV show, we all know it takes more than acting to succeed in this profession. We simply take it one "Emergency!" at a time.

[Nursetom1963, BSN]

Glad you found it everything you dreamed of, i think reality shock is the reason a significant number don't last 5 years. (or so the research we looked at in school said)

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

Atta girl

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

That show was the impetus for thousands of young men to pursue being paramedic. It also has been argued that it helped excel the development of modern day EMS services that were at its infancy when the show started.

[Everline]

God, I loved Dixie McCall...

[she244]

I can certainly relate to this post. I knew at an earlier age I was going to be a nurse. I had to put things on hold as I was raising my son working in factories. Was in the nursing program and was 5 months from graduation when I was in a bad car wreck. Had a lot of recovery time as well as memory loss. I started back over with Biology and finally became a nurse. I have been a nurse now for 20 years and would not want to do anything else.

[Jovi Mae]

Same here!

i know there is a part of my being that says

i am capable of putting my thoughts into words.

i remember when i was a kid, i made my daily journal for the whole year, never did i miss a single day!

No matter how busy we are, that calling(writing) will continuously echoes from deep within.

[StarletRN1]

Nursing was a later in life career choice for me. But I can relate to crushing on Johnny Gage.

[Dikibo, BSN, RN]

Interesting . It must start somewhere. You are focused.

[Dikibo, BSN, RN]

It was not imy choice but the fulfilment when I started kept me glued. I still love it,I wouldn't have been happier.