IDareToHope

Prompt: Briefly, in your own words, answer the following question:
What factors influenced your decision to pursue the profession of nursing?

Freewrite: 


I grew up in a family of six, and was the second oldest of four children. I loved to spend time with my younger siblings. I have fond memories of a plastic toy doctor’s kit, and “practicing medicine” on my younger siblings. My mother often found her supply of scotch tape and paper towels dwindling as we applied “casts” to “broken” limbs. I would mix up concoctions of water, cinnamon, sugar and crushed graham crackers to administer “medicine” to my “sick” little sister. One of my siblings was prone to migraines due to an undiagnosed food allergy, and sometimes I’d wake up in the middle of the night to find her some water or hold her hair back as she got sick. I want to be a help to those around me, whether that is holding a hand or administering CPR.

In elementary and middle school, I attended summer camp for a number of years in a row. I made my share of visits to the camp nurse’s office, and sometimes even got to watch as someone else got stitches and I held her hand. I admired the nurse and his/her ability to soothe crying campers and cheer them up, even if they still experienced physical pain. I want to be a comforter like the camp nurse was.

When I moved into high school, I encountered a school nurse at Palmer High School. I really looked up to her and her desire to be a friend and a help to the students in my school. She was an excellent role model and encouraged me in healthy decisions and even in everyday schoolwork. Students loved coming to her just to chat (not to only skip class) and she was a bright spot in many students’ lives. I want to be an encouragement to others like my school nurse was.

Later in high school, I took a Certified Nurse Aide course through the local career/tech school. I graduated from the course with an A and received my CNA certification. I worked in home health with a couple elderly ladies and found that though the work wasn’t always easy, it was worth it. I rubbed shoulders with nurses during my required clinical hours and watched how they worked with the residents or patients. I was able to distinguish the nurses who worked at their job because they loved it from those who worked because they needed the pay. I want to be a nurse who loves my job, and loves my patients or residents.

Often, when people hear my answer to the question “What are you majoring in,” they come up with some positive response about wise choices and good professions in this economy. I agree, but that isn’t why I chose Nursing as a profession. I chose Nursing because I love people. I love to work with people and bring joy into their day. I want to make a difference in this world, beyond the realm of exchanging goods and services. I want to help people – to help in bringing healing to their bodies and hearts and minds.