Tell the world “why become a nurse” By: robin c. cubbage, rn

What is a nurse? A Nurse is someone that provides: “protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations,” (http://www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/What-is-Nursing).

In other words…. A nurse is a person who cares for people and their disease at hand. Nurses evaluates the person’s situation, plans a course of treatment along with other members of the Healthcare team, and puts the plan into action. The nurse has a big responsibility in the entire process of someone’s care. The nurses are the ones that administers the medications, complete wound care if needed, obtain bloodwork, starts IV’s, catheters, etc.

Why did I become a nurse? Most people become a nurse to simply take care of people. Some choose this profession because there are other healthcare providers in their family. Others sees this profession as a higher paid profession. I chose this profession for a bigger reason, I want to make a difference! I can not only take care of people but also, make them feel better and hopefully impact their lives. Providing a simple touch, smile and words help to go that extra step.

Being a nurse in a Long- Term care facility; there are many patients I meet everyday that either don’t have family or that does have family but doesn’t visit often. Many times, the care givers becomes their family. Providing care is one thing but giving love is so much more. To be a nurse to me goes way beyond wound care, passing pills, inserting catheters or IV’s, etc. Being a nurse to me also means providing care, making a difference in their lives, be their advocate, and simply being there for them.

What are the benefits of nursing? Along with a decent salary, comes long hours of running, putting their patient’s needs above their own, working holidays and weekends and having to learn to multitask. So what are the benefits? Some benefits may include: * the Ability to Save Lives * Flexible schedules * Can open doors to expanding your nursing career * Nurses play a very important role in other’s lives * And so much more..

Along with the benefits mentioned, also comes the personal benefits Along with the benefits mentioned, also comes the personal benefits. The benefits of loving and caring for someone. The benefits of making someone feel better when they are ill. The personal feeling of doing good.

Where to start your journey? The first step is deciding which path you want to take. Do you want to start as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), later become a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) and eventually a RN (Registered Nurse)? Would you rather skip the other steps and just become a RN? Either road you decide, here is information on what each does and how to accomplish your goal!!

If you want to climb the ladder, the first step would be becoming a CNA (certified nursing assistant). A CNA provides hands on care for the patient’s. They assist the patient’s in completing their ADL (activities of daily living) care. Some ADL care includes: bathing dressing brushing teeth/ hair and more.. Most local vocational schools, some facilities, community colleges, etc. offers CNA courses.

To become a lpn The next step would include becoming a LPN (licensed practical nurse). Becoming a LPN is a bit more in depth than a CNA. A LPN is able to administer medications, provide wound care complete some skills such as IV’s, catheters, etc. Depending on where you choose to enroll, classes may vary. Some places that offer LPN classes would include your local vocational schools, community colleges, etc. Some classes would include: anatomy and physiology, nutrition, mother/ baby, basic nursing, skills lab, and more.

Another step is becoming a RN (registered nurse) Another step is becoming a RN (registered nurse). As a RN, there are so many different levels depending on how far you wish to take your education. Most RN courses follow about the same education path which includes: OB/ Mother/ Baby Chemistry/ Biology Mental Health Nursing English/ Math and more

As a RN, the nurse has the responsibility of being able to assess their patients and their condition. RN’s are able to pull blood from a PICC line whereas LPN’s can’t. RN’s can also complete skills mentioned above along with admitting patients and discharging and more. As a RN, there is so much more opportunity for career advancement

As there are many different career paths available, becoming a nurse is the best opportunity. Nurses are able to make a difference in someone’s life everyday instead of pulling a few hours at the local factory. I became a nurse to add a bit more than nursing care to someone such as a smile, caring words and loving touch.

As there are many different benefits of being a nurse but some of the most important would include being able to save lives and being able to advance your career in so many different directions. Depending on which path you decide in picking a nursing career, there are different ways in achieving your goals. Most vocational schools and colleges offers the needed courses.

Some topics we discussed was: the reasons I became a nurse, the benefits of becoming a nurse, and requirements to become a nurse. Become a NURSE, it’s the best career opportunity available with so many benefits.

Reference: American Nurses Association. 2017. What is Nursing? Retrieved from: http://www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/What-is-Nursing on 1 December, 2017.