Who I am as a Nurse

Happy nurses week to all my fellow nurses! Never in my life did I imagine finding so much purpose and joy through my career. Just one year and four short months ago I started my dream job on a medical ICU in one of the major hospitals and a level one trauma center in Indianapolis. In that short time I’ve learned and grown more than I ever thought I could.

I have held hands of patients and loved ones as they make hard decisions and hear news they never wanted to hear, I’ve held my hands on a patients chest and pressed to beat their heart for them when it stopped, I’ve cleaned patients up who are unable to control their own basic body functions, I’ve wiped the face of someone who lost all ability to move from the shoulders down from an accident, I’ve titrated drips and managed machines actively keeping people alive while they (and I) are fighting for their life.

I make light of heavy situations with coworkers to break the pressure and give the mental break necessary to then turn around and continue with our shift. I stand and cry with families watching their loved on their way to donate to save lives. I laugh and scream with happiness when patients are able to drink a juice for the first time in the month they have been with us. I page and call teams to the bedside in the middle of the night when I can see a patient declining.

Through all the tasks, roles, and emotions there is one concept that makes it all worth it: I get to help people (and yes, i’m rolling my eyes at how cliche it sounds). I don’t feel this way after every shift. In fact, sometimes I will go weeks without feeling this way. But looking back over the last year I see such a clear vision of why I am here.

To all those who are young nurses or those in school, from one baby nurse to another, keep your head up. Find your people who you work with. Find those people who you can pour your heart to in the middle of your shift so you can move on and finish. Find those people who support you and run in to help you when you need it. Find the balance outside of work that allows you to maintain who you are. Then, be that person. Be the person who jumps in on a complicated admission. Be the person who never stops asking questions. Be the person who doesn’t give up but keeps trying. Be the person who acknowledges everyone and gives respect freely and openly to everyone (like everyone, everyone) you work with.

So, pull up your compression socks, tighten that messy bun, chug that coffee, pee now or forever hold it, and wear your heart on your sleeve because you’re the most trusted person in their lives and you live up to it!