It has always been said that all professions related to the field of Health Sciences are purely vocational. Sometimes we find it difficult to understand why a person would want to engage in a career so intimately linked to pain, suffering and even death. Definitely, not everyone has the strength needed to face these situations. Perhaps the answer can be found “on the other side of the mirror”, because these professions are devoted to do the exact opposite: to make the pain go away, to make suffering disappear, and to make life last longer. And not everyone has the strength to do so.
That is why we believe that working in health-related careers has a lot to do with vocation. And a lot to do with life itself.
Our international student Carly left her native Arizona to study Nursing with us. Today we asked her to tell us about her vocation to become a Student Nurse. And, as we imagined, her story is full of life.
“My father became a nurse when I was six years old. At the time, I had no idea what the job entailed but I knew he was going to work in the hospital and help people. As the following years passed by, my dad would always come home from work exhausted but he had the most incredible stories. We would always wait to eat dinner until he got home, and I still remember sitting at the dining room table and being completely captivated by what procedure he had to do that day. Some days he even came home with cards from his patients which contained some of the nicest messages. This daily routine lasted my entire childhood and it wasn’t until many years later that I realized how hard nurses work.
I have always known my dad as the type of person to go the extra mile. In whatever he does, he is always extremely dedicated and mindful. He has persevered through many difficult obstacles which didn’t defeat him but, instead, helped him become more compassionate and patient. His determination and heart have taught me many things and helped shape me into the person I am today. Even more so, these traits have made my dad an extraordinary nurse and allowed him to share his devotion with his patients. Thanks to my dad, I learned that the best way to make a difference and feel accomplished is by helping improve the quality of other people’s lives.
Because of my dad’s wise words, when I was in the seventh grade, I began volunteering at a senior living center with hopes to inspire. Although I was just calling out bingo and helping with crafts, I really enjoyed talking to and spending time with the residents. It was a very humbling experience that educated me on a variety of things and helped me realized I really wanted to be a caregiver. There was one sweet lady in particular, Pam, who always seemed to know the perfect thing to say at the right time. I still remember delivering mail to her room one day and making small talk about silly things. As I turned to go, she had suddenly became more serious and told me something I will never forget and thoroughly believe: one of the most important things in life is to be happy in whatever career you choose.
“By pursuing a career in Nursing, I know I will face many difficulties but knowing I can help someone will make it worthwhile.”
Although I understand nursing is a challenging and arduous job, I also think it can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding professions. Helping someone when they are in a very vulnerable state is not always easy but it can reveal all the different kinds of strength, hope, and human spirit. I have always been enamored by how compassionate, empathic and nurturing humans can be and our unwavering capability to love one another. I think these are some of our best traits and the relations we can develop from them are, in my opinion, the closest thing we have to magic. By pursuing a career in nursing, I know I will face many difficulties but knowing I can help someone will make it worthwhile.”
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Carly. We are certain that your family, friends and future patients will make it worthwhile. And we hope that CEU Valencia will help shape you as the nurse you want to become: one that makes a difference.
