erisme

These are facts that I, myself have experienced working with patients, for 11 years now. My facts and opinions are just words to take into consideration, not to put anyone in a defensive mode. Just something to take in and learn from if you haven't had much experience in working in the field. But you will learn and see when you do. The field is definately all about learning, you always learn something everytime you go to work.

Intentions are not to offend, but only to state the huge responsibility in nursing. Caring for someone who is dependant on you for their total care and their attitude make a big difference in that patients outcome. Patients will open up more to someone who is genuine than to someone who performs like it's just a job. The ability to provide the best care and outcome in a patient's life is from competent care, therefore, when choosing this field, altruism should be one of the characteristics of that person. Trust can depend on that care that is given. There are many unpleasant skills that are performed that can be stressful and overwhelming, a nurse that is most caring can make a difference in a patient's psychological, emotional and physical well being. It is true that a patient will most likely trust and relax, have less anxiety with that nurse who is most compassionate. If it were my choice to choosing the person who would care for me if my health were in jeopardy, my choice would be a nurse with the traits of ;going beyond, giving of self, caring for others being a personal choice, willingly to do without hesitation, wanting to make a difference for others. Competence and caring are interrelated, moving forward in this profession is one that truly makes a difference in a patient's outcome.

It's really sad to see from reading the many posts in the "reasons of wanting to become a nurse" are so far away from what should be the main focus. I thought that when one is responsible for the lives of others, the focus of importance of going in the field of caring for others and changing the outcome to peoples' lives would surely be not because of money, not wanting to be bored, variety of duties, pay scale, the variety of choice in working shifts. I thought the first and foremost reason to choosing this profession should or would be for the fact that it is something that came from the heart and soul, making a difference in the lives of others. From caring for people who are neglected, abused, dying, alone, and need that person who is caring for them at that particular moment, to truly care. That person who will make that patient's worst moment a positive one, giving them hope, when hope is lost, or taking their fears away, and giving words of encouragement. It was a little bothersome to read that the main focus on caring for others and having the responsibility of a patient's life with the possibility of changing a life forever seemed to be of the least importance. The most important reasons seem to be last in becoming a nurse. The responsibility is a huge one, when one could think of it as your mother, brother, husband, daughter or wife laying in that patient's place, it should make you think. So it would seem to me that when choosing this career it is the first and foremost reason, which is being responsible for someone elses life, and you know that is one of your top reasons for choosing it, and that it makes you feel good inside, that you made a positive impact in that persons life.

Dear Kate, Your mistakes, and what you experienced in your life is what will make you the best nurse ever! You know not to judge, you have great empathy for others, you know what it is like to be in shoes of adversity. Those are the tools that will make you a great nurse, you will comfort others from knowing what that pain feels like. Most of all, you will most likely not give up and stop caring for the people you are caring for, for you know that you did not want people to give up on you. If your thinking your past was of a bad one, that could be true, but because you have taken that path of learning from the bad, you have turned that all into good....Good Luck in your future, it seems to be a bright one

just wanted to ask you a couple of questions before you even begin to go in that direction... "have you ever been in the medical field at all, a job that is related in hands on experience with patients"? and second question-- "what is your age range"? I ask that because working in the medical field takes a lot of common sense, wisdom, patience, multitasking, good-judgment calls. Along with that is such a huge responsiblity in many areas, and that comes with experience and experience comes with time and age. One of the most important responsibilities along with good -judgment calls is being able to know and set priorities based on the assessment of the patient, feedback of the patient, and the most important and basic tool is remembering your A, B, C's..... Airway, Breathing and Circulation. So in short, if you haven't experienced in life the trials of learning from your mistakes, living life and finding that age comes with wisdom, or wisdom with age. If you have not had much experience medically, then please give yourself a break, and don't be so hard on yourself, or give up before you even started. Your obviously very bright to have come this far and you have what it takes. I'm saying that with age, you find wisdom, experience, and respect for people and life. Ha! you will be just fine, you will get the hang of it, don't be hard on yourself, stay focused and positive, positive! I wish you success!