Please stop asking me, ‘when I’m going to medical school?’ Thank you. That’s all.
Joke. Maybe not so much a joke, as a question I get often is, ‘why are you not a Doctor?’ Not everyone is trying to be rude but unconsciously many people come across as such. Fortunately, I actually love my career so instead of ranting about the ignorant people, this post is about nursing & me. Please enjoy.
Nursing wasn’t actually always my first choice. Pursuing a career in music was my first choice (a story for another day). At present, I’m able to do both so I’m pretty content with my life choices. Anyway, NURSING.
Nursing wasn’t a career I was always conscious of but it was the one career that amazed me when I was a work experience student, so I’m really surprised at myself for not considering it. This probably comes down to how underrepresented nursing is in the Tamil community. Unsurprisingly in the present day, I’ve met more aunties/uncles who have been confused at my career choice and I have to tell myself it’s caused by a lack of understanding. Otherwise, It becomes very difficult to listen to the things that they have to say (9/10 times, comes across as demeaning).
I went to university to pursue my nursing career and at first, I was exceptionally bored. Just as I was considering quitting I saw opportunities and I also met genuine people (at the time I didn’t think such people existed & these people are now my favourite bunch of friends, shoutout to my og boys). I digress, ever since then I didn’t turn back, I walked straight towards completing my degree - my friends played a huge role.
Slowly I fell in love with my career.
I began to fall in love when I worked on a teenage cancer unit, being able to somehow make their day better and keeping them company made me realise that I like making people happy. I always preferred challenges and placements that tested my ability to ‘think fast’ (ok this is starting to sound like a CV). Stressful environments in which I need to problem solve, fed my soul.
Accident & Emergency (A&E) - just wow, it’s eye opening and you really never know what problem is coming through the door but your knowledge guides you. However, just when I thought I found my career path, I went to a cardiac Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Nothing could top that experience (in my opinion)...so I graduated and went straight to PICU. A lot of people advised me against this because the ‘normal route’ is to work on a general ward, get your basic skills and then work your way up the ladder. But why follow the normal?
*fast forward*
My last 3 years as a PICU nurse have been the most rewarding years of my life. The nurses that worked on PICU motivated me to reach for the stars. On top of making sure that the child is as comfortable and happy as possible, they were able to make clinical decisions on the spot and recognise deterioration, whilst making logical plans alongside the medical team. I was inspired and I aspire to be that cool, I’m getting there.
I think there is a huge misunderstanding on the role of a nurse amongst those that have never seen one in action. Despite the looks some may give, when I actually go into work I very quickly remember why I love my job. If you’ve ever heard me talk about my job, you just know I love what I do. I literally glow.
Not everyone can be a nurse, in my opinion, to be a nurse you need to be able to value another persons’ life, whilst being true to yourself and the person in front of you. You’re signing up to take care of someone who is as valuable as you are to your mum. You’re not trying to do a good job, you have to do a good job, you’re providing life changing care. The bottom line is my career choices and life choices are mine alone. The only people that can have an opinion are those in my family and we’re all happy. Ok…my mum hates me working night shifts but that aside we’re all happy.
Thank you for reading :).
P.S. This will sound cliche but follow your dreams and do what makes you happy. If you take nothing away from this then at least let it be that. Life is short.
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