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| What is a Nurse? |
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by Kim Rogelstad, RN - July 21, 2010
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Recently my husband was told that I needed to get a “Real Job—like in a hospital or something” as we were facing some very real financial challenges by our choice for me to work per diem in a community clinic so I could be home as much as possible with our children aged 7-18. I have to admit that comment really hurt and even made me angry on so many levels; and it wasn’t even the attack on mine and my husband’s values and beliefs that first struck me. It was the thought—what does she think I’m doing now at my current job in a medical clinic—playing? So it got me to thinking about all the different jobs we as nurses are blessed to choose from in our profession all based on who we are and what specific gifts we bring to the table.
There is the clinic nurse where I am currently working as a per diem RN and let me tell you those nurses work hard! They are a secretary, a counselor, a teacher, a mentor, a resource, a gatherer of information (and I’m not just referring to their vial signs and med list—but to the real reason they came to see their Doctor). They are also a guard, a team member and a friend. These nurses work tirelessly to ensure that your visit to your primary care physician goes smoothly and that all your questions are answered and your needs at the time of your visit are met.
Then there is the home care nurse who works in the community somewhat autonomously and this is where I spent the 20 years previous to my current almost 4 years tenure in a medical clinic. These nurses are resilient, resourceful, problem solvers; caring, supportive, independent, creative, spunky, strong, courageous, persistent, and persuasive. They teach; evaluate; gather facts and information; provide care; are a supportive and empathetic ear to new moms, newly diagnosed clients with a chronic illness; patients who have open wounds; any variety and/or combination of tubes coming into or out of their body and the necessary equipment to help administer treatment and/or support for their fragile healing or dying bodies. Sometimes they are just there to teach and support a loved one as they learn how to cope with and care for these special needs; sometimes they need to teach and support the patient alone. They are these patient’s life line; cheerleader, home organizer, and counselor.
There is of course the nurse most people are familiar with and where all of us start out in our nursing career; some choose to stay. These are our hospital nurses who work in every department possible from the emergency room to intensive care, from medical/surgical floors to labor and delivery; pediatrics to geriatrics; from surgery to oncology and anything and everything in between. They also teach; provide care and support along with managing very complex medical equipment and new computerized charting systems. These nurses are not only responsible for caring for patients during their hospital stay, but to prepare them for discharge home often times after only an overnight stay in the hospital.
There are also our blessed angels in the Long term care facilities caring for those who are too sick or just no longer able to care for themselves at home. These nurses provide medications; care for daily needs from bathing to feeding to just holding their hand and listening to their stories and their life.
We all have a calling, a passion and a love for our own little corner of the profession we are blessed to belong to. But most of all, we all have a:
RESILIENT
EFFICIENT
ACCESSIBLE
LEADER
JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES
ORGANIZER
BEACON
As a
NEGOTIATOR
UNHINDERED
RESOURCEFUL
SUPPORTIVE
ENERGETIC
So to all my fellow Nightingales and Angels of Mercy—thank you for making this a profession to be proud of and for all the gifts and experience you bring to your little corner of our world. You make a difference, every day, every hour in somebody’s life!
 Kimber Lyn Rogelstad has a MS in nursing from the University of Phoenix, San Diego California. She has been working in various areas of nursing for 25 years including nurse education, with her passion being Community and Home Health. Her desire is to mentor, educate and encourage nurses in their chosen nursing path as well as continue to promote health and wellness in her community.
The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.
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| Anonymous61780 (maryland USA) |
on 27 Sep 2010 at 4:44 pm |
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| how inspiring! |
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| Belinda Bumbalough (Crossville, TN) |
on 17 Aug 2010 at 10:10 am |
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| The article is so true. We do so much more than anyone on the outside looking in sees. But that is because we are trained to make it "look" easy, to never let the patient see if we are stressed or concerned. Nursing is not a juob - it's a calling. We do it because we care, because we want to ensure that people are safe. I am so greatful that there are so many avenues we can choose as nurses. If hospital work and 12 hours don't work for your personality, there are other choices that might prove more rewarding for you. Yes, if you love people and truly care about them - Be an Nurse! |
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| shirley (phoenix) |
on 11 Aug 2010 at 9:14 pm |
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To Any One wanting to be a nurse......you can't just apply for any position in a hospital...they want experience period. How do you get that experience?
Working 12 or more hours in a day is stupid, how safe are you? What time did you wake up, what time did you finally get home? Sorry, if I was in the hospital I would ask the nurse how long have you been on your feet? I don't want a unsafe nurse, and hospitals are pushing them to death......so many new nurses are leaving the profession and good for them. Find something that pays better and you don't have that huge responsibility.........when your on your feet for 12 hours.
Get the pay you deserve...just like the doc's that don't want to do their job and therefore, you have to...no, unsafe. All the meetings and yet your suppose to get your job done, are they nuts?
No, don't be a nurse. |
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| Mr Meow (Takoma Park, MD) |
on 04 Aug 2010 at 1:41 pm |
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| Yes, thank you for your inspiring and insightful article. I am sure that I'll be referring to it in the future! |
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| KimberLyn |
on 03 Aug 2010 at 9:18 pm |
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| Thank you Amy and Connie--so glad you enjoyed my article. I don't think anyone really gets how much we do on a daily basis and we all could use a little lift now and then:)! |
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| Connie Gonzales (Stafford, VA) |
on 03 Aug 2010 at 12:37 pm |
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| Thank you for writing the true story of nursing. I am a cardiac RN with a MSN in health education and could relate to every aspect of your story. Thanks again. |
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| Amy Christian (Seattle, WA) |
on 03 Aug 2010 at 12:00 pm |
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| I agree and think we have a wonderful profession that allows each of us to use our gifting in different ways. |
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| Kimber Lyn Rogelstad (Poway California) |
on 28 Jul 2010 at 6:55 pm |
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| So glad It made your day! Thank you for sharing. |
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| Jeffrey Ewanio (Schiller Park Illinois) |
on 28 Jul 2010 at 5:58 pm |
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| That made my day. Thanks. |
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