Here’s a list on my ideas: Preferably one page -I’ve been a patient care assistant for 4 years at Texas children’s hospital -i chose to do nursing to help the sick children -my grandma other passed away from cancer -learned how to cope with I’ll patients -i was a certified medical assistant -i worked at airline medical clinic during externship -i am the only child and I love working with children
Title: The Impact of Personal Experiences on the Motivation to Pursue a Career in Nursing
Introduction:
The decision to pursue a career in nursing is often driven by a combination of personal, professional, and societal factors. This is particularly true for individuals who have had direct experience with healthcare settings, such as working as a patient care assistant or witnessing a loved one battle a serious illness. Personal experiences and encounters can shape an individual’s perspective on the healthcare system, providing them with a unique insight and motivation to pursue a career in nursing. This paper aims to explore the role of personal experiences and their influence on the decision to enter the field of nursing. Specifically, it will focus on the experiences of a student who worked as a patient care assistant for four years at Texas Children’s Hospital and the impact that this role had on their career choice.
Background:
Nursing is a profession that requires individuals to have a deep commitment to caring for others and a desire to make a positive impact on patients’ lives. While many factors contribute to the decision to become a nurse, personal experiences can provide a strong foundation for this career choice. These experiences can include working in healthcare settings, experiencing the healthcare system as a patient or family member, or being inspired by the work of nurses in one’s community. Research suggests that personal experiences can significantly influence career choices and shape an individual’s professional identity. Understanding these experiences and their impact can help in attracting more individuals to the nursing profession and improving the overall quality of care provided.
Patient care assistant experience at Texas Children’s Hospital:
The student’s four-year experience as a patient care assistant at Texas Children’s Hospital highlights the significant impact that direct patient care can have on one’s desires and motivations to become a nurse. Working in a hospital setting offers an immersion into the reality of healthcare, exposing individuals to various patient conditions, treatments, and the multidisciplinary nature of healthcare teams. Through this role, the student gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by ill pediatric patients and their families, as well as the critical role nurses play in their care.
Motivation through personal encounters:
The student’s motivation to pursue a career in nursing was significantly influenced by personal encounters with sick children. The desire to help and support these young patients during their most vulnerable moments became a driving force in their career choice. Witnessing the impact that nurses had on the lives of these children, the student recognized the unique role that nursing plays in providing holistic care and emotional support. This experience led them to appreciate the importance of compassionate care and instilled a sense of responsibility to contribute to the well-being of others.
Coping with ill patients:
During their time as a patient care assistant, the student learned valuable skills in coping with ill patients. Each day presented a new set of emotional challenges, as the student witnessed the pain, fear, and uncertainty experienced by both the patients and their families. These experiences taught the student the importance of empathy, patience, and effective communication when dealing with individuals who are facing health-related struggles. The ability to connect with patients on an emotional level and provide comfort became a central aspect of their role and further solidified their decision to pursue a career in nursing.
Certified medical assistant and externship experience:
Prior to working at Texas Children’s Hospital, the student had experience as a certified medical assistant at an airline medical clinic during an externship. This exposure to a different healthcare setting provided the student with a broader understanding of healthcare delivery and allowed them to observe the different roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals. Although working at the airline medical clinic was not directly related to pediatric care, it revealed the diversity within the nursing field and the various opportunities available to make a positive impact in different healthcare settings.
Only child and love for working with children:
Lastly, being an only child and having a love for working with children further strengthened the student’s decision to pursue a career in nursing, particularly pediatric nursing. Having a nurturing personality and a natural affinity for children, the student perceived nursing as a profession that would enable them to combine their passion with their desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. The unique bond formed between nurses and pediatric patients played a significant role in shaping the student’s understanding of the importance of advocacy, patient-centered care, and the overall wellbeing of children in healthcare.
Conclusion:
Personal experiences can be powerful drivers in an individual’s decision to pursue a career in nursing, shaping their understanding of the healthcare system and their role within it. The experience of working as a patient care assistant at Texas Children’s Hospital, alongside the personal encounters with sick children, provided the student with a solid foundation for their decision to become a nurse. These experiences cultivated a sense of empathy, passion, and responsibility towards caring for others, particularly those most vulnerable. By reconciling these personal experiences with professional aspirations, individuals are more likely to find fulfillment and purpose in their nursing careers and make significant contributions to improved patient care outcomes.