SERVING PATIENTS WITH COMPASSION

I always had nursing in the back of my mind as a career, but I chose a different major in college. After receiving a bachelors degree, I wondered what I would do. My husband and I brainstormed my next step, but nursing kept tugging at my heart. I was nervous because I’d have to go back to school and basically start over; then once I became a nurse, I’d be liable for lives. As I searched my heart and prayed with my husband for answers, some doors started to open. The confirmation came when my husband, like a Nike ad, said “Just do it, what do you have to lose!” So I did. I went to school, got my second degree in nursing and I’ve been a nurse now for six years. I’ve worked in different units: some where the loss is significant like the ICU units and some not as critical. But the Cardiovascular ICU for heart babies is where God touched me the most. Watching families go through hell, not knowing if their child was returning from surgery, or seeing them lose their child altogether, impacted me greatly. As I watched others suffer, I would continually pray, “Lord, how do I love these families in the midst of tragedy?” I heard an answer while working with one very special family. Their child had a chronic heart condition, and was given three weeks to live. A few days into that third week, she passed. Watching this family endure such tragedy and being there for them changed my life forever. My passion for nursing grew exponentially that day. And I knew that I was called to serve my families with a heart and compassion that tries to reflect the love of Jesus. If I can stand in the gap and offer up anything to these families, then I am where I should be. Dealing with death is not just my job; it’s a place where I can serve people physically, emotionally and spiritually.