Sometimes in life it just takes the influence of one person to help you see life in a way you didn’t see possible before. For me that person is a Nurse Practitioner working the local hospital when my grandfather passed away. It was as if she knew exactly what to say and when to say it. She had been there before, and here she was again—for me. That night she pulled up a chair and sat beside me while my parents talked to the care team, and without saying a word, took my hand. For about five minutes, she held my hand in silence. She was sensitive that I had cried away all my words and had nothing more to say. I knew I wanted to be just like her. I had just set new goals.
While I had an idea going into my undergraduate experience of what I wanted to do in the future, it has become apparent to me now more than ever. The past three years have given me greater vision of my future and who I want to become. Throughout my young adult life, here at the University of Missouri, I have gained more of a sense of the value of a quality education. With that being said, I have never lost sight of my dream: to become the finest nurse I possibly can and to further my education to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. In order to bring my goals and dreams to fruition, it started with earning a second degree in Nursing. The graduate nurse anesthetist program holds the greatest appeal for me, and through earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, gaining practical experiences in the workforce, and continuing my education, I believe I can get there. Nurse anesthesia is one of the most challenging nursing specialties, and I am passionate and eager to potentially become a role model for other Women of Color, demonstrating that hard work and perseverance can be done and be so rewarding at the same time.
Nursing as a profession has become a large part of the nation’s health team. Being a professional nurse means that you have the ability to put the needs and importance of the patient and all aspects of their care above all. As a nurse, it is important to make first impressions on patients and other coworkers in order to provide the best care possible. This plays a major role in gaining a patient’s respect and trust. With that come personal morals and values you may hold. Being a nurse the requires the ability to not pass or show any judgment on a patient’s decisions, beliefs, values, or culture. Being exposed to so many people from various backgrounds, having this versatility is of upmost importance. Because healthcare is a continually expanding field, a professional nurse should be willing to stay up to date with continuing education or seminars, learning new and better ways to provide the best care possible for patients. That requires a team.
Teamwork is a major characteristic of this profession of being a nurse Going out of your way to be a part of this team and doing what you can for others makes you better equip to work with your co-workers as well. It enables to help your patient for you to be an advocate for their rights and decisions. To me, this is what being a nurse is all about.
