Why Nursing?

If you have been following recent media coverage surrounding what can only be described as an NHS crisis, and in particular if you have been following headlines surrounding the nursing profession, you might be thinking why nursing?

I was very hesitant about how to approach this topic. With statistics flying around of reduced nursing applications, I as a fellow nurse feel I have a duty to think with care about the nurse-related content I produce. I also believe that I have a duty to encourage future and current generations, into an ever changing and progressive profession. So I thought, do I be funny and make nurse humour related jokes about poo, and then I realised that this might not be the way to tackle this question. I also thought maybe I should be serious as the headlines of poor pay and bursary cuts are hard to ignore.

Then I wondered; should I give my story of how I got into nursing? however it isn’t the most inspiring one. I’d love to say that I knew it was my dream job and that nursing is in my blood. In actual fact all I knew at the age of sixteen was that I wanted to work with children. In what capacity I did not know. I toyed with the idea of teaching but the flashbacks of how my own school year behaved was enough to scare me off. It was only when my mum suggested nursing, (her own mother having been a nurse) that the idea even crossed my mind. The more I read and researched the more I realised that this could be the career path for me.

After much deliberation over how I can explain ‘why nursing?’ it suddenly dawned on me. Nursing is NOT the negativity that surrounds it. I am not going to lie to you and tell you that what is reported isn’t true because sadly it is, however I do not want these stories and reports of inadequate pay, and lack of nursing staff to define what nursing is. Nor do I want the negative stories and reports to alter the perception of nursing.

Nursing is making a difference to peoples lives, as cliché as it sounds it’s the truth. You get to wake up everyday and make a change. You are there for people in their darkest and vulnerable times of need. Equally you are there for people at some of the happiest times in their life.

Nursing is being moulded and shaped into an autonomous professional and individual. You are taught and encouraged to have the authority and the ability to make decisions, and have the freedom to act in accordance with your capabilities. Long gone are the days of nurses being just a doctor’s assistant.

Nursing is job security. Everyone, everywhere needs a nurse.

Nursing is travel. The opportunities to travel that comes with this profession is endless.

Nursing is versatile; no day is ever the same.

Nursing can be hard. There are days where you will cry and there are days when you will feel defeated, but the love that you will develop for your job will help you to carry on.

Nursing is being a leader, a role model, a mentor, a student all at the same time.

Nursing is providing a hand to be held, from the 24 week old baby in the NICU to the patient in an elderly care ward.

Nursing is so much more & it can be anything that you want it to be.

In such difficult and uncertain times I think it is important to remember what nursing truly is. Although we have to address the issues that challenge and affect our job, we must not allow these issues to define the profession.

I would love to hear your thoughts on why you became or are thinking of becoming a nurse. I would also love to hear what nursing means to you.