Nursing is a Part of Me

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to help people. The nursing profession has had a profound impact on my life since I was a child, particularly because I have interacted with nursing staff from a young age. When I was seven years old, my mother succumbed to breast cancer. Prior to her death, I had witnessed the care which palliative care nurses gave her. Watching my mother suffer in pain and extreme discomfort was a harrowing experience, and I believe the nurses offered her a significant level of relief through the therapy given to her. I also helped in caring for her in the best way I could, such as cleaning her wounds. Moreover, when I was older, I cared for my father during his illness, before he died. I was 24 years old and had become a licensed vocational nurse by then. With the knowledge and skill I had acquired, I helped my father cope with the illness thereby improving his quality of life. These experiences birthed a passion for nursing drawn from the need to reduce the suffering which people who suffer from certain diseases and conditions go through. 

I sincerely believe that nursing in its practice is about reducing patient pain and improving the quality of life of the patients and their families. My daughter was spent 3 months in the NICU after having been born premature at 25 weeks. It gave me a sense of peace to know that a team of healthcare professionals were taking care of my daughter and watching her even when I was physically absent. My passion in nursing is fuelled by a desire for family members to experience peace and comfort through efficient management and support of their physically ill loved ones. 

Aside from helping individuals, I believe nurses play a critical role in community health. I wish to educate and enlighten as many people as possible on methods they can use to improve or maintain their health. I intend to carry out research on interventions and practices which nurses can employ to assist patients, especially those suffering from chronic illnesses. I wish to find out ways in which such patients can have a longer and better quality life. It is also important that their families receive adequate support to improve their ability and resolve to take care of the patient. 

I will also strive to be involved in the formulation of health policies. I would facilitate the formulation of policies that improve the working conditions of nurses, ensure professionalism and application of evidence-based practice. Nursing education curriculums also need to be evaluated for their ability to enhance care by training nurses on interpersonal relations. The perception of the patient and the patient’s family regarding caregivers, such as nurses, is a significant factor in the ability and time taken for the patient to get well. Moreover, it is necessary to carry out research in order to create more evidence-based practices allowed by nursing professional bodies and regulators. 

I aim at attaining the highest levels of competence and mastery in patience care. It is important for every nurse to grow their knowledge and develop their skill in order to offer the best care to patients. In my current experience in the profession, I have experienced the satisfaction that results from helping patients and their families deal with health problems. I envision a time where standards of healthcare shall be high enough to ensure that patients can access the best care at an affordable cost when needed. My overall desire is to offer the best care and facilitate the best life qualities for patients and communities.