Why Nursing?

I remember sitting in my 5th grade class when my teacher called on us and asked the age-old question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”.

I sat quietly praying she would not call on me, not because I did not know, but because I was shy.

“TiPPs?”

“Uh…” I nervously swallowed to buy some time. “A nurse.” I said in a shaky voice, though I was certain of my answer.

“Why?” The teacher asked.

“Huh?” Stumped by such a simple question. Or was it? For a young person to articulate the “why” of becoming a nurse.

“Because…because…uh…I want to help people.” Who doesn’t, right? She accepted my answer with a smile and moved on…Thank God.

How many times has someone given an identical answer to that question? So generic. It has meaning, yet… A Walmart people greeter, vitamin shop clerk, or lawyer (yes, even a lawyer) could say the same thing and probably sincerely.

Still, why nursing?

Is it the procedures? Becoming proficient in IV sticks, sinking NG tubes, and changing wound vac dressings and the like. Could be, but I did not know about all those gory details in 5th grade. If I had, I probably would have given up my dream. I was a bit squeamish at that age. Just ask my sister, who reminds me of the one time I saw blood and nearly passed out. To this day she cannot believe I chose nursing.

Maybe it was “hero worship” at such a young age. Nurses save lives. The ones that swoop in and push the right meds, initiate CPR, and prevent falls (sometimes at the detriment to themselves). Or the ones that catch medical errors (even their own) through numerous and vigilant safety checks.

I do not think I would have seen nurses in that light either as a youngster. After all, doctors and paramedics were almost always the heroes on tv shows and in the movies.

Yet again, I ask, why nursing?

I think I have it. It is so simple, but complex. It is about human connection through compassion and caring. Throughout all stages of life and during health and wellness. A nurse does not just want to do procedures or only be present during emergencies. Nurses share the good times and the bad with their patients and are in a unique position to do so.

Even as a young child I could see this part of nursing.

I have a vague memory of a local hospital where I used to visit my grandmother when she was admitted for various health issues. On the rare occasion they would let children in to see her, I would sit quietly and watch in fascination as the nurse came into the room. She greeted my grandmother, asked about how she was feeling, held her hand at one point. Then began checking my grandmother over: applied her stethoscope to my grandmother’s chest, checked her IV, bag of fluids, etc. My grandmother was smiling the whole time while she spoke with the nurse.

This was not my only interaction with nurses.

I injured my lip while playing and it required stitches. A nurse came in and held my hand the entire time. She joked with me about my strong grip and I had to concentrate on not smiling while the doctor finished up. It was comforting. Someone knew I was going to experience pain and was there for me. My tears were dry before the last stitch was in. Funny, I do not remember much about the doctor who mostly interacted with my parents. Although, he did a fantastic job (no scar). But the nurse, I remember, and she is the one that made that experience bearable for me.

Nursing is not task-oriented, but people-oriented. It requires a connection to make the relationship work and that connection is based on true compassion. It cannot be faked or manufactured or taught. You either have it or you do not.

Maybe my 5th grade brain hoped I had what it took to aspire to that. My mom, dad and aunt thought so and encouraged me along the way.

So why nursing?

For me, I feel like I am doing what I was meant to do. I felt that way on day one of this journey and I feel that way today. My hope is to find like-minded people who are passionate about nursing and want to strive for a bright future for nurses and the nursing profession. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share.