My American Dream to Become a Nurse in The Future

Introduction

What does the American dream mean to you? Different people would respond differently. In this essay, I will answer the question “what is your American dream?”

My American Dream to Become a Nurse in The Future

The American dream is about having the opportunity for success. It is also about freedom and living the life you want to live. My American Dream is to have a nice house and enjoy a fulfilling life, and to achieve this, I will become a nurse.

Educational Pathway

To achieve my American Dream, I would like to become a nurse. For introduction, there is education involved before I can become a nurse. To get the education needed for the job, you must attend a college or university for four years. I would like to go to Quinnipiac University, where the annual tuition is $63,770, totaling $255,080 for all four years. To get into this school, you need to have graduated high school and have at least a 3.4 GPA. This educational journey is a significant investment in my future, but it's a crucial step towards achieving my dream.

Training and Skills Required

After attending college, there is on-the-job training. This includes clinicals and various other experiences. The nurse I interviewed, Jack Brower, who is an ER nurse at Morristown Medical Center, said, “I went through countless clinical rotations and had to pass the NCLEX (certification test). After that, I underwent a six-month residency before I was able to practice.” This shows the different requirements that must be completed before being able to practice as a nurse.

Nurses also need a diverse skill set to perform at the highest level possible. Nurses must always be at their best because sometimes it is a matter of life or death. If a nurse makes a mistake, it could severely harm or even kill their patients. During the interview, Jack explained the skills needed: “You need to be decent at math for medications, understand how most meds work on the body, and know the full anatomy of the human body. You should also understand microbiology and how infections work. You need to handle foul odors and bodily fluids such as urine, blood, feces, and vomit. In addition, you need leadership skills and the ability to work as part of a team with medical assistants, doctors, and other staff.” Confidence and compassion are also essential traits for a successful nursing career.

Financial Aspects and Work Environment

The earnings of nurses vary. In NJ, the 2018 mean salary of registered nurses was $71,730 (Occupational Outlook Handbook). The salary of a nurse depends on the work environment, whether in hospitals, clinics, or doctor’s offices. The expense of becoming a nurse is primarily the cost of college, which can be offset by scholarships. Nurses also receive good benefits. “Full-time registered nurses are eligible for comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance. Malpractice insurance may also be provided. Many employers offer life insurance and long-term care insurance programs as well. Nurses accrue vacation time with each hour worked. The average nurse receives two weeks of paid vacation time per year. Nurses are also eligible for retirement packages, such as a 401k or 403b, where they can decide how much money to deduct from each paycheck to deposit into retirement funds. Average sick time for nurses is about 40 hours per year. Hospitals often pay 100 percent of tuition reimbursement for registered nurses seeking continued education in a specialized area.” Nurses usually work twelve-hour shifts, working three or four days a week and having three or four days off. During the interview, I asked Jack what a typical day is like as a nurse. He said, “I clock in on my floor, and head to the nurse’s desk to get the night nurse’s report on my patients. From there, I determine how my rounds will go and who to start with. Any given day is different, but most of the time I’m administering medication, performing assessments, documenting findings, starting IVs, and talking with patients.” Another source stated, “There is no typical day for a nurse. Every single shift has the potential to be momentous, exhilarating, exhausting, energizing. Nurses see people at their weakest and most vulnerable or at their strongest.” This illustrates that nurses never see or do the same things every day. Every day is different and challenging.

Challenges and Rewards

As previously mentioned, nurses face many challenges during the day, but nursing is very rewarding. Nurses get to see their patients recover and improve, which is very fulfilling. During the interview, Jack Brower said, “The most rewarding part of nursing is being able to help people with their health all around. Nursing is about more than just medicating and fixing people’s ailments; it’s about educating them and their family on their condition, acting as an advocate for your patients, being a source of knowledge as a practitioner, and ensuring patient comfort through it all.” There are many rewarding moments, but there are also many challenges throughout a day as a nurse. Nurses witness tragedy almost every day. One article states, “Many said seeing patients die after doing everything to care for them is the hardest part. Other challenges include long shifts, having to use time-consuming technology, and a lack of respect from other people in the healthcare industry.” Some doctors used to look down on nurses, but that is changing now as nursing becomes more popular, and more people are entering the profession.

Conclusion

As can be concluded from my essay, to achieve my American dream, I want to become a nurse. I believe I can be a good nurse because I am dedicated to what I do, and I am very compassionate. Being a nurse in the future is important to me because, as a nurse, I will be able to help people in their time of need and help give people a second chance at life so they can continue to achieve or begin to achieve their American dream too.

References

1. Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2018). Registered Nurses. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
2. Quinnipiac University. (n.d.). Tuition and Financial Aid. Retrieved from https://www.qu.edu/tuition-and-aid/tuition-and-fees/
3. Interview with Jack Brower, ER Nurse at Morristown Medical Center.