When reflecting on both my new career as a registered nurse and my personal journey, my initial instinct was to explore the birth of nursing and those pioneers that blazed a trail to make my dreams a reality. Florence Nightingale stated, “Nursing is an art; and if it is to be made an art, it requires as exclusive a devotion, as hard a preparation, as any painter's or sculptor's work.” As a result of the scholarship that I received from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, I graduated from nursing school in 2009 as what some would call, an educated fool.
I passed my Michigan state boards in only seventy five questions and I thought I was on top of the world. However, I was quickly humbled by my inability to find employment due to my lack of experience. I had two Bachelor’s degrees and a professional license, and yet I was unemployed.
In March 2010 I accepted a position with Toledo Hospital as a Registered Nurse (RN) resident which truly opened my eyes. I was making less money than any of my peers and the academic requirements placed upon me by my then nurse educator seemed like I had once again enrolled in school. During this six month process of lecture, clinical, and immersion experiences, I learned what it truly meant to “be a nurse.” I quickly realized that all of the tasks that I associated with being an RN such as IV starts, EKGs, dressing changes, and medication administration could be performed by anyone, but the ability to generalize academic knowledge into safe clinical practices and genuinely care for others—that is what makes one a nurse. Success in academia, execution of tasks/nursing skills and integrity coupled with respect for human life and the ability to empathize with the hardships of others is what differentiates nursing as a profession.
In my journey to becoming a nursing professional I had to earn my respect. I was always told that “nurses eat their young”, but I quickly realized that nurses make bonds with their patients which then encourage a sort of territorial attitude. Real nurses give their all during their shift; they stay over to ensure that “their patients” receive that best possible care. In that respect, nurses attempt to guarantee that others will put forth the same effort in terms of quality of care.
I have learned the best lessons from those nurses who are not always regarded as friendly with the staff but highly regarded by patients and their families. I realized that the little things make the most difference. Ironically, taking the time to sit and feed a patient is often more highly regarded than the compressions performed following their cardiac arrest days prior.
In January 2012 I was accepted to CRNA School. Like every other candidate, I had completed the required courses and obtained the required certifications but my passion for “my profession” gave me an edge. During my three short years as an RN, nursing became who I am, not just what I do. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to physically and emotionally touch an insurmountable number of people. I am still amazed when patients that I met years ago text or email me to simply say thanks. In my opinion, it is me that should thank them. It is because of my patients and their willingness to allow me to participate in their care that made me a nurse and I will be forever in their debt.
