Personal Statement: Why I Chose Nursing

Nursing, and everything that it entails, cannot be easily described in just one simple word or phrase. It goes beyond the meaning of a profession and the stereotypical definition of treating the ill. Nursing is the “protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations” (American Nurses Association, 2010, p. 1). Therefore, it is a career that requires dedication, passion, critical thinking, and knowledge. It demands commitment and an understanding of its core values and concepts, as well as the nurse’s own personal philosophy and principles.

My nursing experience began in July of 2005, when I began working at Kaiser Permanente as a certified medical assistant. As a medical assistant (MA), the MA can do something as minor as checking someone’s weight, to administering immunizations under the supervision of the LVN or the physician. The things I did over the seven years as a MA, was limited and I began feeling complacent and wanted to do more with my career. I continued my education with the assistance of the company I worked for, and received my LVN in 2012. There, I transitioned to a department that is considered a high-risk perinatal unit.

As part of the nursing pathway at school, we are given an opportunity to work one on one with real residents at a nursing home. When I began working with these wonderful people, I was saddened by their inactivity and complacency. As a result I wanted to be a source of their joy not just a care giver doing a job. Therefore I dedicated myself to create an atmosphere where these humble residents are able to enjoy their golden years. Nonetheless I began to create a strong bond with the residents I would read to them, talk to them, as well as care for them.

Caring, compassionate, leaders, dedicated, non-judgmental, passionate, holistic, and healers are only some of the words used to describe the profession of nursing. ADD HERE. I am choosing to pursue nursing because I want to make a difference in the world. Nothing is more satisfying than providing care to someone when they need it the most. I have been interested in the medical field for as long as I can remember.

Personal Definition of Nursing Nursing is the act of helping those in need to care for them. Some people may not need care directly, but indirectly nurse care for them. When we educate people on importance of keeping the environment clean, or eating healthy, we are not physically caring for them but indirectly we are caring for them because staying health and free from illness prevents and protects them from becoming sick. Nurse care for people at all levels. World Health Organization defines nursing as: “Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings.

Isaiah Clements Period.3 Mrs.Vargas Registered Nurse When I was five years old I cut my finger while helping my mother make guacamole. My mother rushed me to the hospital because this wasn’t an ordinary cut, we got to the hospital I was frantically fussing until nurse Judy puts me at ease with a sucker. Ever since that day I have wanted to become a nurse. Throughout this research process and job shadow I hope to determine if I will be pursuing this career field after high school.

The Making of a Nurse There are many people who do not know of the impacts nurses have on patients, as they care for their patients physically, emotionally, and spiritually. At times, nurses can be taken for granted by a number of different people. It is usually when people are at their most vulnerable do they see the significant roles nurses play. Nurses can truly bring joy and hope in patients in the worst of times, as there may not always be treatment readily available. As explained by Shalof (2007), “[…] while there may be times when [nurses] may decide to withdraw treatment, [nurses] never withdraw care” nurses never give up on their patients, which is an enlightening notion for me (p. 122).

As a student nurse and pharmacy technician, I have interacted with many populations. These experiences has allowed me to sharpen my interpersonal skills. From working with patients at Howard Hospital and Providence to working with the residents of Northeast D.C., I can contribute knowledge and experience of the people that inhabit the D.C. community. This will allow me to make contributions when exploring the topic of mind, body and medicine like I could have done when my father was displaying symptoms of stroke.

In order to posit one’s personal philosophy he or she must have a clear understanding regarding self and the specific area (Nursing). The Cambridge Online Dictionary (2016) defined personal as “ relating or belonging to a single or particular person rather than to a group or an organization”. Doheny et al. (1997) defined philosophy as “beliefs of a person or group of persons and reveals underlying values and attitude regarding an area (as cited in Masters, 2017).

There is much disparagement at present, that caring is not an attribute of the nursing profession in the twenty first century, though there are many writers that suggest that caring is still essential in nursing practice. Caring may be a challenging concept to describe but it can be summarised as the ability to deliver holistic care (Gustafsson et al, 2009). Caring has many characteristics, which include patience, honesty, sensitivity, dedication, skills, autonomy and trust. Many nursing theories and models have been developed around the concept of caring. The writer believes that caring is shared by all health care professionals, not just amongst nurses.

Nurse practitioner I have always wanted to be a nurse practitioner. My mom has always pushed me to be a nurse, finally I realized what nurses do. I like to help people. I used to always doctor my papaw. I want to be able to help