Why would I want to be a Nurse? Freshman's Reflection.

Why would someone want to be a nurse?  Who on earth in their right mind wanted to be a nurse?  Why can't someone like me just stay in photography, be good at it and don't bother anymore?  Why can't I just be a normal dad and bring my kids up according to what I wanted them to be or perhaps wait till they are old enough and let them take Nursing Degree when they go to university?

I must be mad.  

I have worked with so many nurses in life.  I actually dated 2 nurses and I am married in one of them.  It is clear to me that being a nurse is not an easy job and most of the time is less appreciated.  Judging about nurses role and their handwork, coming home tired and almost no energy for the next day's work, amount of risks and workloads they are taking, surely I could find a better job.  Surely at 38, I could get a most financially rewarding job.  I was a teacher why would I not go back to teaching?  Might be a sensible idea.

Why on earth I would want to be a nurse?

I tell you why.  Enough of those 6 Cs and professionalism that had been used million times in care context.  Enough of those high falutin words and technical terms.  

Here is why.  I want to make a difference.  

Those nurses who always choose to wake up in the morning, drive to work, leave their personal lives behind and put their uniforms on day in day out is because they want to make a difference.  They are angels with out wings.  They are God sent from heaven above.  

I am sure salary is one thing but service is another.  I have seen this from so many of my work colleagues and I am always reminded everyday my wife comes home from work.  They've never complained.  They might have a few moans about it while at work but when they take that uniform off, they leave it behind.  How amazing they could switch off from life at work and switch back on their personal lives.  

They said it is easy to be nurse, but it is hard to be a NURSE.  Three years in university, manage 40% pass rate all through out three years,  get yourself registered and you are already a nurse.  But It is more than that.  I think it is a VOCATION.  To be able to look in the eye of every people that come in through the door and offer the best possible care without any reservations is hard.  

When I was a teacher (as I mentioned it before,) I thought that was the most noble job in the world.  I thought being an instrument in influencing the mind of the young people and being able to hone them to be the best that they can be is a greatest thing to do.  As much as I admire those teachers out there. As much as I respect their contributions to the future of the nations and the world, as much as I value them on what they are doing, it also made me think and value those other people who are also serving other people without even asking in return.  

We have been beside that hospital beds in one way of another.  Might be because of our family members suffered illnesses.  Worst is, we may have received some devastating news of someone else's dying.  In whatever circumstances, we experienced it and it is unlikely the best feeling in the world.  But in those circumstances, there is someone who might have been holding your family's hand in that moment when there was no one there.  When they are terrified,  when they are in pain and helpless.  When they are confused.  That someone is this man/ woman in blue uniform.  The unsung hero and heroine with in the care environment.

Moreover, I could enumerate so many technical terms why would I wanted to be a nurse.  I can discuss all information about standard.  I can have all the knowledge in the world but if I don't want to make a difference, those are nothing.  They are useless.  They are merely words.

I am now towards the end of my first week as a student nurse.  I had so much reflective accounts and collective thoughts as to why I would want to be a nurse.  I asked myself a million times and I always go back to same answer all the time.  

If being a nurse, I could calm someone else's nerves and assure them that I would be there.  If as a nurse, I could sit down and talk to them about their fears, pains, and worries,  If I could listen to them with open mind and heart,  If I could hug a family member and make them feel that I am with them in their journey, I would be forever grateful.  I would be the most rewarded person in the world.  I would go home fulfilled, happy and rewarded.

It is a long way to go but I know where I wanted to be and I know why I wanted to be there.

You only have few choices in life and sometimes those choices are hard to come by.  As long as I know why, I know I can never be wrong as to how.  

Goodnight and God Speed.  Mabuhay and mga Nurses. 

My New Journey to be an RN

Tomorrow I am starting my new journey and going back to Uni to pursue my passion in nursing. I am 38 and it's never too late. When I was a teacher, I dreamt that to be my lasting career. It was the best job in the world. I love it but things changed and God uses you in different ways to make a difference. This is what I felt I need to do now. While I am still (not so) young, I would like to dedicate my life to something noble. A career not just making money but touch lives and make a difference.

I am nervous but I am determined. 

I am apprehensive but positive.

There is no journey too hard for someone who persevere.

There would be challenges along the way. Probably few arguments with the missis. Miss some important things, my kids' activities, appointments and programs in school.

There might have some financial difficulties along the way or sleepless nights for assignments and revisions. These are just superficial, ingredients for a very fulfilling career in the future. 

I have done this a few times. It was not easy back then. I made a lot of sacrifices during those times. I had to trade my summer vacations to work and support myself. I asked loads of kind hearted people to help me. I was blessed. God gave me resources. God blessed me with people around me. God had given me courage and hope. God was there all the time along the way.

Tomorrow is yet another step to a new life but I know it would be blessed. I am confident that I have my family to support me. I have my friends to help me. I have my kids to inspire me.

Life is what you make it and success is pre determined by your power to pursue. This time after 3 years I WILL BE READING THIS BLOG AS AN RN.  :-) please help me God.