My nurses week post on social media

[RobtheORNurse]

There are posts all over this forum asking why did you become a nurse? or Why should I be a nurse?

This is my post on social media from this year's nurses week. I have been a nurse for many years and it has been good for me, my family, hopefully my patients. Has it been all rosey? No, not buy a long shot. I have been in some pretty bad places and some of the nicest facilities in the world but either way, I loved it.

"Why be a Nurse It is Nurses Week, 2016. I often get asked Why did you want to be a nurse?” Early in life and career, it seemed a difficult question to answer, but as the years have passed and I have advanced my experience and education, I think the answer comes easier.

... Nursing has been evolving since it was first described by Florence Nightingale during the Crimean war. She understood that she could make a difference in the lives of the men wounded in the war. Many great breakthroughs have occurred in nursing by building on her early work and understanding of the environmental conditions necessary to promote healing. Since the days of the Crimean war, many strides have been taken in the field of nursing. Gone are the days of being the doctor's subservient helper. Today's nurse is a partner in care along with many disciplines of healthcare, including not only doctors, but Physical therapists, radiologic technologists, Paramedics, Nutritionists, Environmental services and many others, but most importantly, the patient.

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, not only in the United States, but around the world. We range, in experience, skill sets, and specialties. Operating Room, to ICU to Emergency Department to Med-Surg. Diabetic care, Oncology, Genetic counseling etc. There are too many specialties and sub specialties to mention but the key point is, WE ARE NURSES. Nurses hold the hand of a newborn and the dying, they comfort the child that is injured, they minister to those who need spiritual assistance, regardless of our own religious beliefs, they counsel loved ones of someone who passed away. They are in doctors offices, hospitals, ambulances, and helicopters. They are found on the battlefields of every war, taking care, not only of the soldiers of their own military, but those of their enemy as well. Providing the same level of care, regardless of their political affiliation, uniform, status or creed. They are in clinics and on the streets, caring for those in need. Nurses are the super heroes of the world.

So, Why did I become a nurse?

It is a deeply personal reason to me. I want to make the world a better place. I may not be able to stop war and famine. I may not be able to cure cancer or end hunger. But I am a nurse, and nurses try their best to do all of these things. They try to make the world a better place. I am a nurse because I believe in the Human race. As nurses, we all do our part every day, to make someone's life better."

WE ARE NURSES