How has nursing changed you?

Also, I am more paranoid about my health. Which could be a good thing or a bad thing lol. I want to start eating better and getting in shape. I just think that it is important to be an example for our patients.

It's made me more assertive and less shy and timid. Granted, I still have my moments, but I've learned to project confidence and authority when I need to.

I'm now more comfortable asking for help out a second opinion when I feel I need it (and everyone needs it at some point). Seemingly in contrast, I also now have a stronger reliance on myself and my own knowledge. I know how to use my resources, I know the common diagnoses, procedures, meds, policies, etc. that are relevant to my patient population, I know (well, am now better able to predict) what docs might need to know from me or order in response to any issues. It's nice to be able to trust myself to figure out more and more independently.

Nursing has made me...I guess more discerning about people? I'm respectful and polite to everyone I tale care of, but there are those for whom it's primarily an act and those I genuinely feel great compassion for. It sounds terrible, maybe it is terrible, but there it is. And the ones I feel for (and don't feel for) are not generally who you'd expect.

I also now get frustrated by tv code blues the way some men get frustrated by football lol

I was out roller-skating at the rink with my children yesterday. I thought about the recent quadraplegics in the unit I work in. I wondered if they once enjoyed skating and if they ever took their previous abilities for granted. Before I was a nurse, I never even considered being grateful for basic health.