Nursing can be very stressful and rewarding at the same time. I was wanting to know any personal experiences in regards to the highs and lows of nursing and what keeps you going in this profession.
Sonya
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January 30th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I have a few stories that I could share but I will share one that is most meaningful to me and exemplifies what I find most rewarding in nursing. I was working in an oncology unit. Even though nurses do not give back rubs frequently, I found this intervention to be very important with cancer patients, especially if they were dealing with very immediate decisions or negative news. One evening I offered a back rub to a middle aged man who had learned that his prognosis was very poor. His wife had been in and they had talked but he indicated that there were things he was worried about that he had not shared. We talked for quite some time (a very long back rub). We discussed some strategies that would help him work things through. But my significant contribution was listening, allowing him to talk about things he was not ready to share with his wife. At the end of the session, he thanked me for the back rub, noting it was very soothing. It is the little things we do that count lots. He allowed me to become a part of the fabric of his life at a very vulnerable time for him. I am grateful that I could be there at that time.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
When I was a new CNA at a hospital one of my first patients had a colostomy bag, and part of her care included cleaning and “burping” the bag. She was a very nice lady and we had great conversations during this time. I was working a double that day, and the practice at our hospital was generally to switch patients at the end of every shift, but I was notified that I would stay on the same hall, because she had requested me personally. When I started my rounds for the new shift, my patient thanked me for my care and told me I was the only nurse who did her bag care without making a face at the contents or odor. I was grateful for her praise, and it reinforced in me a behavior we should all be doing. And whenever I trained a new aide, I always made a point to explain to them that although some jobs we have aren’t fun, they aren’t fun for the patients either. Patients are aware when an infection they have looks or smells bad or that cleaning a colostomy bag isn’t fun either, but they have no choice in the matter either, and little things like a wrinkled nose (even if we don’t realize we do it) is noticed by them, and can hurt their self-esteem.
February 1st, 2009 at 12:40 am
It seems to me that just when the “downs” start to get to you, there is an “up” to make it all worthwhile! A smiling face, a thank you, seeing a patient getting better – that’s what makes my day and helps me to keep going.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Thanks for your responses. If there was something you wanted to know as a new grad. what would that be? I am nervous but excited about graduating. Our responsibilities are sometimes a heavy load and frustrating at times.