The True Essence of Being a Nurse

The True Essence of Being a Nurse

“Slave”, “maid”, “assistant”---these are the labels that most people designate to a nurse. But what really a nurse is? What makes this profession stand out from other careers nowadays?

A nurse is the one who treats patients, educates patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provides advice and emotional support to patients’ family members. RNs (Registered Nurses) or others refer to ‘Real Nice’ teach patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury, explaining post-treatment home care needs; diet, nutrition, and exercise programs; and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. Some RNs work to promote general health by educating the public on warning signs and symptoms of disease. They also might run general health screening or immunization clinics, blood drives, and public seminars on various conditions. It requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation, as any painter’s or sculptor’s work, for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body.

Although there are some discrimination that people may remark to a nurse and his work, those prejudices are actually fallacies because nursing profession is such a noble line of work. It is indeed one of the most respected professions not only here in the Philippines but also in other parts of the world.

According to a pioneer in the nursing field, Florence Nightingale, ‘No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be than this -- 'devoted and obedient.' This definition would do just as well for a porter. It might even do for a horse. It would not do for a policeman’. Yes, it is true that a nurse is devoted and obedient in the sense that he gives utmost effort in carrying out his job. He is also obedient in a way that he accepts orders from the doctors or supervisors and does the tasks religiously. The character of the nurse is as important as the knowledge she possesses.

It is observable nowadays that rampant aspiring college students enroll in a Bachelor in Science and Nursing course in several universities and colleges. Though some are being forced by their parents, learning to love this profession is such an easy task to do. For the reason that the purpose of the profession per se incredibly astonishing. Charitably giving tender loving care to other people especially the sick is a heroic and heartwarming work to make. Despite of congesting pressures and overloading paper works, seeing others in need and able to extend help for them would make a nurse feel tranquility and serenity. Nevertheless, nurses see stress as a normal way of life.

Nursing profession is in demand in many places especially in globally-competitive countries. Thus, it has a large salary in exchange of the service that is to be offered by the said professional. Although this has something to do to a big twist in the socio-economic status of the individual if he works as a nurse, pecuniary reward is just a secondary significance to him for excellent service to God and humanity is what he actually prioritizes.

Nurses have come a long way in a few short decades. In the past, our attention focused on physical, mental and emotional healing. Now we talk of healing your life, healing the environment and healing the planet.

Caring is the essence of nursing. Nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription. Knowing that there is a nurse beside you as a patient, worries and fears may be alleviated. It is like the patient is confident enough that there is someone in the sickroom who will help him cure and heal the pain and the illness he has. A nurse will always give us hope,
an angel with a stethoscope. Panic plays no part in the hospital and lastly, nurses are the hospitality of the hospital. Without nurses, surely, there are no people who will receive and accommodate patients. I admire this profession! I salute all the nurses!