Find Your Calling
Have you ever had a surreal moment in time, where everything felt as though it were going according to plan, and no struggle could interfere? As I continue along in my semester, and as the weeks get progressively more difficult, I am still experiencing a sense of excitement, passion and desire to learn everything about the field of nursing. I have never been so excited about another field or topic in my life. I experienced an epiphany in my first few weeks of nursing courses this semester that has helped me to realize that I have found my true calling!
I have found my calling in a profession that, today, is perceived as an intense and highly regarded line of work. But I find it interesting to learn the history behind this esteemed career, and how we have gotten to where we are today.
Did you know that glimpses of nursing have dated as far back as ancient Egypt, where nurses were used more as servants, strictly for hygiene? As time progressed, through the Renaissance and the 18th and 19th centuries, wars created the necessity for patient care. This is when nursing made major strides as a field of study. In 1820, Florence Nightingale pioneered the way as the founder of modern nursing. After her nursing school training in Germany, she set forth the concept of training programs to increase nursing volumes. Today, nursing has evolved to include a spectrum of roles from CNA’s to Doctoral level Nurses.
No matter what level of education a nurse has, he or she is involved in a field that incorporates many integral responsibilities that allow a hospital or healthcare center to function. Not only are nurses viewed as caregivers but also they are responsible for making decisions in the best interest of the patients. Nurses must be the advocates for their patient’s needs and communicate necessary changes to physicians and other staff. Nurses are the coordinators of appointments, as well as coordinating care for all patients within a floor. While communication is key to one’s role as a nurse, playing the role of educator also allows a nurse to increase patient recovery and healing time.
I encourage you to take the time to find the true passion in the field that you choose, like I have done. Although healthcare can be challenging career choice, the reward and satisfaction of helping patients makes it worthwhile!
T-Foley
Tags: Nursing