When did you first feel like a nurse?

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2004

LOL, the first time someone asked me about constipation and what to do about it...going into serious detail in a resturaunt after they overheard I was a nursing student!

Seriously, I think it was my first patient in clinicals. He was a 18 year old male, shot in the back by his brother. He was driving his brother (who was sitting behind him in the car) and friend to another friends house and his brother wanted to go to Mc Donalds...but the patient drove into a Burger King instead thinking he just wanted a burger or something...the brother tweeked "I said Mc Donalds!!!!"...and shot him through the drivers seat! Quad now.

I had to ask him a series of questions for nursing school, and had to ask him about his 'sex life' and how he thought it would be effected. I got the largest case of the gigglies and purple face and told him..okay I have to ask...and I asked. He laughed so hard and said.."I don't know, you are the nurse...ummmm I don't suppose you could assess the situation for me can you?" I busted up so hard...and he said "you have a sence of humor, and you are very down to earth, and you always have a smile...you are going to be one heck of a nurse kiddo..in fact, if you don't mind me saying...I think you already are".

I thought about it on the drive home, and that is when it came to me that "wow...you are going to be a NURSE!"...and the first time it all clicked! That was pretty cool!!!!

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2004

The first time I gave a med and didn't double check it with ANYONE!

tommycher · Oct 25, 2004

Being an LVN, I have had many instances to "feel like a nurse" since I do bedside care, but the first time I actually realized that I was a good nurse, not a pretend one, just playing waitress and handing out meds, was on a weekend. I had a pt. with a DVT in her upper left arm. I got in report that we were measuring it with the tape measure, and it is red with unpalpable radial pulse. I assessed her, and measured her arm, but when I could not feel that pulse, I got the small doppler. Found the pulse and marked it with skin marker. If I can't feel it, I want to hear it! The hospitalist on call, whom I rarely see, told me the next day, my 2nd day with this pt., that I did what all the other nurses should have been doing. And he said this in front of all the RN's, who gave me a round of applause after he left. Then, I realized I should have more confidence in myself. But, truth be told, each day I can make a pt.'s hospital stay more comfortable, I feel like a nurse, it is what I recall from childhood that made me want to be a nurse.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Oct 25, 2004

Sometimes I DON"T feel like a nurse when:

I'm fetching coffee for my ambulatory patient.

I'm warming up breakfast for the patient who preferred to "sleep in".

I'm cleaning the majority of body fluids (or solids) off of the floor, so housekeeping can do a once over with the mop.

I'm emptying the trash can for the umpteenth time.

I'm running around looking for the housekeeping cart for toilet paper or soap... :rolleyes:

Gompers, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2004

The first time a parent said, "I was finally able to relax and sleep all night, because I knew that you were the one taking care of my child last night." To me, being a nurse is about much more than giving medications and drawing blood - it's taking care of the patients and their families during unbelievably stressful times.

sabradie · Oct 25, 2004

The first time I had to carry nine patients with no NA.

To me that is exactly what is not nursing. I admire you for actually surviving that assignment but next time you should band together against administration and refuse assignments. You've heard that expression "give them an inch and they'll take a mile"

AmethystVeralyn · Oct 26, 2004

I know you're officially a nurse when you pass your boards. But when was it that you actually felt like a nurse? Is there a specific instance that stands out in your head? Was it a more gradual realization?
...Jennifer...

I got one of my first clues in college when my room mate

came home with her friends and she was so drunk she could

hardly move. Her friends decided to leave her with me.