Why are you proud to be a nurse?

[Joe V]

At some point in our lives we all decided to become a Nurse. Maybe some of us decided to be a Nurse after reading the stories on allnurses.com.

Now, some of us have days when we feel defeated and want to quit and never look back. Other days, we know we've made significant differences in the lives of our patients and are convinced we've made the right career move.

Do you remember when and why YOU decided to become a Nurse? allnurses welcomes you to share your stories.

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

I work in an FQHC and it often feels like a lot of phone-answering and paperwork. But today a new diabetic came in with his Lantus pen and I taught him how to use it. I also explained what “carbohydrate” means, and why he was losing weight while his blood sugar was out of control. At the end, he said “Man, I know you haven’t been a nurse for all that long, but you really picked the right career. Thank you so much for spending this time with me and not being in a hurry.”  It really made me feel warm and fuzzy. 

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

I became a nurse because I wanted to help people and "make a difference". Now I have a better picture of what nursing really is, aka not all rainbows and butterflies (more like incontinence care and missed breaks!). But some days I really do feel like I help people or make a difference in someone's life. Could be spending a few extra minutes getting to know a patient, getting a difficult IV or catheter on the first try, even just running something to the lab for a coworker who is swamped. 

Also, this week I took care of an 88 year old woman who started swing dancing with me when I helped her up from her chair. On my way out the door she slapped me on the butt and said with SO much enthusiasm, "Thank you for all you do, dear!" Some experiences are unique to nursing ?At least, I don't think employees at a bank receive that type of thank you... 

[michaelb, BSN, RN]

I had the best experience in a crisis- all because of the hospital staff and mostly the nurses!- my path was set

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

To be there for people during one of the hardest moments of their lives (ICU level of care) or during very vulnerable moments (pre-op and PACU). I know I was often discouraged in the ER but every once in awhile I made a difference. A patient who was newly diagnosed with cancer in the ER....a PICU patient....praying with an ICU septic shock patient and his family before going to surgery.....

[Davey Do]

On 9/15/2020 at 11:32 AM, Joe V said:

Do you remember when and why YOU decided to become a Nurse? 

I decided to become a nurse in the Winter of 1981. I was living in a cabin on a campground where I had worked that Summer. When the campground closed that Autumn, I was sent to work as a Weatherizer and was laid off on December 31st.

I got snowed in my cabin that Winter and had a lot of time to think: What kind of job could I have that wouldn't take a lot of education, made decent money where I could be reasonably sure to have steady work that would hold my interest?

I applied to an LPN program that Spring and began my 37 year journey into nursing.

[alaskaman]

Yesterday I took care of a 96 year old man who was approaching hospice and scared. He was throughout his life able to control events, his work and his scope of responsibilities of which he had many. He began to who signs of delirium at risk of pulling chest tube, 3 way foley and central line. Haldol 5 mg IVP had little effect. Assuming pain, 4 mg of morphine was given with slight sedation. Finally Ativan 2 mg reduced his fear.  We had to use wrist restraints only briefly and his family came and we found a personal sitter. 

You could see this man's legendary accomplishments in his face and his attempts to make sense of his next journey called on my many years of caring and knowledge to help him. I was able to embrace this complex situation and help reduce his fear and terror.  It was not easy, seeing him struggle and it called upon our compassion and skills. 

That's why I became a nurse. One person helped. 

[Lynker, LPN]

I've always had a passion for helping people. My mom was a nurse ever since I can remember, too. I got a job as a pharmacy tech a few years after high school, and then it dawned on me. Why not become a nurse? So I'm now an LPN, and have less than two semesters until I'm an RN!

[Checkers08, BSN, MSN, RN]

I became a nurse because of all the stereotypical reasons (wanting to help people, have a stable career, etc.), but the moment that makes me proud to be a nurse came while I was browsing our local craft store. A woman, who I did not recognize in the least, came up to me and said, "You took care of my dad in the ER about a year ago when he was having a heart attack. I'll never forget you." I, very hesitantly, asked how he was doing since I didn't remember this lady or her dad at all. Thankfully, he had a great outcome and all was well. It was a moment that showed me what a difference we can make to patients and their families, even if the moment has little to no impact on us at the time, and it made me really proud to be a nurse.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

Early on I was a member of the Future Nurses Club,life took me in another direction for awhile then returned feeling more sure and determined than before.I knew I did not want to be forced to sit at a desk all day(what was I thinking?).Curiosity of hospital events,....were those stories over dinner , of the evil hospital true?

Not only proud but glad to be a nurse,...helped me to be more  independent  wage earner, provide well for my family, support them with my knowledge and experience. Toughened the thin skin a lot, love it.

[Joe V]

On 9/17/2020 at 10:26 AM, Davey Do said:

@Davey Do I remember this ? ... I started cracking up even today. One of my favorites!

[MtnHighCoCCRN]

I never wanted to be a nurse after at 15 I had to care for my mother for months after she got sick & major surgery. Back then rehab & home care weren't covered by her insurance. I was her home nurse.. When I finally decided to try nursing school being older, I found I was good at it & found pride in doing the things I hated as a teenager.

As a CCRN, I have been blessed to have been present for a new life entering this world. I am also blessed that I have been able to help people die with dignity, without pain or fear, and help their family through that process.

I have had many horrible shifts and thought why do I continue to do this, and the appreciation & acknowledgement of what a nurse truly does is becoming fewer & far between.. With patient satisfaction scores impacting reimbursement some people treat us as servants, and have unrealistic expectations of hospital stays & care. And our employers expect us to keep patients happy while juggling multiple sometimes dangerous things for each patient. We are the ones they see the most & its expected that we are perfect in impossible circumstances, and sometimes the results of mistakes can be deadly. Which is why nurses burn out, quit and go elsewhere, we are set up to fail in some aspect of our jobs everyday by staffing ratios, and unrealistic expectations like 1/2 hour med pass windows. Nurses carrying 5-6 patients in acute hospitals have more complaints, grievances, call light time delays & provide less quality care than a nurse with 3-4, they are able to better meet needs, round & spend time with the patients.. Its a proven fact patient satisfaction goes up when your nurses are not challenged to the maximum. Yet staffing ratios and adjustments are set for the cheapest option first, not the best option.

When I do connect with someone, and they trust in me to help them through a very traumatic, scary, vulnerable experience & give them what they need to get better & get to return to their lives. That is my reward for my blood, sweat, tears, missed meals, little sleep between shifts & the time away from my loved ones. It's why I continue to do it, and enjoy the bad & the good every shift.  I have recently started working toward my NP so I can continue impacting patient lives, for many more years. As I know I cannot physically do bedside nursing forever, and I miss the patient impact & administration roles don't suit me much.

I was meant to be a nurse, I did it at 15 with little training & understanding that most 15 year olds couldn't have done what I did.