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You know, sometimes, I reflect on how it all began. Being a patient at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, Ontario from birth until I was 18 made nursing more than just a career choice; it became integral to my identity. Every hospital appointment, surgery and childhood challenge moulded me into the nurse I am today. I went from being a patient to becoming a bedside nurse, and now, I am a clinical nurse educator. I remember my first day on the nursing job, stepping onto the hospital floor with nerves and excitement. Little did I know that day would begin a journey that I love.
Throughout my nursing journey, I have learned a great deal. This career has taught me the true meaning of compassion. It is more than just administering medication or changing dressings; it’s about connecting with people, sharing their joys and sorrows, and being there when they need it the most. Through laughter and tears, I have learned the power of empathy and have gained the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. My nursing career has also taught me more about resilience. There are days when the workload seems endless, and I question if I have anything left to give. Yet, in these moments of doubt, I find the inner strength I possessed as a patient. I push through the exhaustion, find light in the darkest of times, and emerge stronger on the other side.
Nursing has taught me the value of life itself. In a profession where every day is a delicate dance between life and death, I have come to cherish the moments we often take for granted. A smile from a patient, a thank you from a loved one, and the simple act of holding someone’s hand in their time of need remind me again why I chose this career.
As I navigated my nursing career, I realized the power of education in shaping the future of health care. Inspired by the nurses who once guided me, I pursued the nursing education journey, driven by a desire to empower future generations of nurses with the same values of empathy, competence, and humanity that had once touched my life. As a clinical nurse educator, I also found a way to honour these nurses who had made such a difference in my patient journey, ensuring their kindness lives on in the hearts and hands of nurses and future nurses. Lastly, and above all, nursing has taught me the value of life itself. In a profession where every day is a delicate dance between life and death, I have come to cherish the moments we often take for granted. A smile from a patient, a thank you from a loved one, and the simple act of holding someone’s hand in their time of need remind me again why I chose this career. I owe a lot to the nursing profession. It has shaped me into the person and nurse I am today, and I am proud of it.
