My Relationship with My Grandparents as an Inspiration for Nursing

Nursing Inspired by My Grandparents

My laptop lock screen is a picture of my grandparents and me after my high school graduation. Every time I turn on my laptop to complete college assignments, this picture is a constant reminder to push forward for those I love. I realized I wanted to be a nurse after my grandparents took care of me when I was younger. I am very lucky to have such wonderful and caring grandparents. I will never forget how well I was taken care of and comforting they made me feel when I was ill. My personal definition of nursing is encompassed within my relationship with my grandparents. A nurse should be compassionate, empathetic, loving, dependable, hard-working, comforting and responsible.

My grandparents worked very hard to raise their four children with the best opportunities. When my grandparents made the long journey from the Philippines to America, they did not know the language nor the culture. The adjustment was not easy, and they endured many struggles along the way. Nevertheless, they dedicatedly took care of me. I was the only child, so my grandparents spent time with me while my parents worked. When I was in high school, I spent long nights doing homework. As stress took over my body, one of my grandparents would cut fruit for me and stay up with me until I went to bed. These and many other acts of love and compassion motivated me to become a nurse. My desire to become a nurse stemmed from my interest in assisting and caring for others.

I believe nursing is more than administering medications, treating wounds, and performing different procedures. It is ensuring the well-being of patients, talking to them and making them feel at home. I believe it is beneficial to the patient to treat them as a human being rather than just 'another patient.' Rather than treating them as just 'another patient,' nurses allows the patient to feel that the nurse truly cares about their well-being. Some patients may not have any friends or relatives to visit them at the hospital; this is a critical time for the nurse to be compassionate, caring, and reassuring to the patient to make them feel comfortable. Making a patient feel at ease is one of the most important aspects of nursing care.

Nursing as a Holistic Profession

Nurses work to promote health, prevent diseases, and ensure the well-being and safety of a patient. It makes a difference when a nurse is dependable, competent, and caring; this shows that the patient will feel comfortable knowing that their nurse can take care of them. Competent nursing skills are essential for safe practices and can be achieved through not only education but also through communication with patients and their relatives. I think that being a nurse means having selfless regard for others without expecting a reward in return. As I volunteered at my local hospital, I noticed they not only take care of their patients physically, but they emotionally bring their patients happiness when they check on them. As I see the nurses’ actions, I believe they feel a sense of joy and accomplishment knowing their patient will benefit from their care. Although the nurses were busy, they never cease to put a smile on their face just like my grandparents.

As I continue to look at my laptop lock screen, I do not think I would be able to repay my grandparents enough for everything they have done for me. Therefore, I will continue exhibiting compassion, empathy, responsibility, comfort, and care during my time at George Mason University and as a future nurse. In a couple of years, I hope to change my laptop lock screen to a picture of my grandparents and me, wearing my nursing uniform and the same bright smiles. 

References

1. Smith, J. (2021). The Essence of Nursing: Compassionate Care and Patient Well-being. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 11(5), 26-31.
2. Johnson, M., & Higgins, I. (2018). Nursing Care: A Compassionate Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences.
3. Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. University of Colorado, Denver, CO.