Two years ago today, I officially received my RN license. I have had so many ups and downs in the past 2 years. (many of them documented here). But I wouldn't trade anything for a second of it. There is nothing better than a patient's and family's trusting eyes looking to you for guidance and the look of relief you get back from them when you see that you've allayed their fears by empowering them with knowledge. Better still is that look of awe on the face of a little girl that you are talking to her and are actually interested in what she has to say.. AND that you know how to put needles into people and make those crazy IV pumps do whatever you want (usually lol). Nothing is better than sitting in silence and holding the hand of someone whose family is either non existent or just very far away.
Nursing does something else, too. It makes the formerly scariest, most uncomfortable environment feel like home to you and makes you much more fearless when it comes to being there for your friends and family when they are ill. It gives you the ability to really help a loved one or friend if they are home and gravely ill and need someone who knows how to operate a tube feed or irrigate a wound or even just interpret some lab values. Being a nurse is a powerful thing.. and it's the most wonderful kind of power of all. It's the power to be able to help when it's needed the most. I can't think of anything better and yes, I still get that little voice inside my head that says "I get to DO THIS!!"
