by Celeste Lane

Created on: September 21, 2008

I have often said I was called to be a nurse. I see those very same words written here and I know I am in good company. With few exceptions, a successful Nurse is a natural.

Thirty years ago I graduated Nursing School and began my first job at a large Catholic hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy. I worked in a busy Oncology unit and it was known within our small community that some Nurses are "naturals" and some are not. A natural can look into a patient's room and " know" their death is near even if the obvious signs are not apparent. As a natural I could pull my chair into an unstable patient's room and within a hour their vital signs would normalize. A natural does not become less effective under fire, she becomes more focused. A source of calm within a storm I was born a natural. Nursing came as easy to me as breathing but make no mistake, Nursing is not, nor has it ever been, an easy job.

My suggestion to anyone considering the profession is to work as a Nurse's aide in a large hospital on a busy floor for a period of no less than 6 months before undertaking any decision.
Then and only then can a well informed choice be made. This is for your own good as well as the welfare of the sick and injured people you will serve.

A nurse must have a heart and yet be strong enough to protect herself from the tremendous emotional demands of patient care. Strong enough to carry the grief of others. It will be your job to comfort friends and families when their loved one dies. To tell a patient hard news. To not cry along with a family as they say their last goodbye but to be a strong shoulder to weep on. To facilitate a death with dignity. A successful nurse is not afraid of death. She can sit holding a lone patient's hand until the very end.

Nursing is hard, heavy, physically demanding work. Classes in proper body mechanics are imperative! A Nurse must have a thick skin. Patients can be surly because they are in pain or frightened. Doctors can be down right mean because they carry life and death in their hands. Families and Friends can bee demanding and short-tempered. They feel powerless and it is your job to be competent enough to put their fears at ease.

Think very hard, examine your own temperment and your heart of hearts. Push aside any illusions you may have about the calling and if you still want to join us, We welcome you!
There is indeed nothing like a good strong compassionate Professional Nurse.

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