Reflections.. Why Do We Do This?

[StevenRN]

i was thinking this morning (somewhat of an accomplishment in itself).

i'm closing in on my 55th birthday and have been in health care since i was 18 years old. in 1969, i was a navy corpsman (medic) with the marines in vietnam (try starting iv's while you're being shot at!). after service, i was an emt then a paramedic. then came nursing. i almost quit the profession until i became involved in pediatrics. my entire life changed.

now as a pediatric home infusion rn, i absolutely love what i'm doing. the hours are horrible. fighting traffic gives me headaches (and increases my vocabulary somewhat). and i rarely have an entire weekend off. but i wouldn't do anything else.

why am i doin this (i ask myself)? the answer is simple.. the kids. i have been the grandfather of hundreds of kids. parents of kids i saw years ago still send me christmas cards. when i've had bad days and wanted to say bye to it all, i've walked into the office to a bouquet of thank you flowers. that's why i keep going. why do you keep doing what you do? :balloons:

[Debbee]

when i've had bad days and wanted to say bye to it all, i've walked into the office to a bouquet of thank you flowers. that's why i keep going. why do you keep doing what you do? :balloons:

it's the thankful ones, but also the ones who find a fresh start after a tragic life. those who you hear of months or even years later who have gone on to make something of their lives.

i work in e.d. and love it, but i have days when i want to chuck in the towel. then i have a patient in whose life i make a difference and i remember why i do what i do. my life has been given to me to serve and help those in need.

nursing! there's nothing i'd rather be doing.

[Nesher, BSN, RN]

Why do I keep doing what I am doing?

I don't know where else I would get to hang out with heroes...

[steelcityrn, RN]

First off stevenrn...congrats on your many years of taking care of people. I pretty much have decided it is a definite calling. Its what we were supposed to do while we took our turn on this great planet:)