This paper offers a personal reflection on the registered nurse (RN) profession, drawing on the author's firsthand observations of a parent's nursing career. It covers the broad scope of an RN's daily responsibilities — from administering medications and monitoring patient progress to serving as patient advocate and emotional support. The paper also explores the emotional challenges nurses face, including caring for critically ill children and managing difficult patients and families, while emphasizing the deep personal rewards that make nursing one of the most meaningful career paths available.
As the child of a registered nurse (RN), I grew up watching my mother work in an environment that was inspirational, rewarding, challenging, and never dull. I watched her best qualities — a great sense of humor, a sincere interest in the lives of others, and extraordinary compassion — being brought to life by her job.
It was during those days of waving her off to work, hearing her stories at the dinner table, and frequently visiting her at hospitals and clinics that I decided I, too, would pursue a career as a registered nurse.
Many times I asked my mother, "What does an RN do?" She would laugh and say, "What doesn't an RN do!" On any given day, an RN deals with the emotional, social, and physical care of a wide variety of patients. Duties can range from tedious tasks such as administering medication and changing bedpans to providing a full spectrum of care for patients presenting with many different physical ailments.
An RN is responsible for staying current with the latest nursing principles, as well as hospital policies, procedures, and standards of care. An RN must be a scientist, manager, team leader, and quick thinker — and sometimes simply a shoulder to cry on. An RN must know how to manage multiple patients at once, demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
RNs work hard to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They serve as advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress; assist physicians during treatments and examinations; administer medications; and support patients through convalescence and rehabilitation.
My mother noted that while the state maintains detailed laws governing the scope of an RN's practice, she never truly knew what her next task would be. Over the course of her career, she worked in many different departments — surgery, maternity, pediatrics, the emergency room, and intensive care. While she loved each area, she seemed to lose a piece of herself in pediatrics. Her voice never failed to crack when she spoke of children with life-threatening diseases. This is perhaps the hardest part of being a nurse: caring for the sick when they sometimes never recover.
An RN will encounter reluctant and angry patients throughout his or her career and will have to work hard to encourage them to eat, take their medication, and cooperate with care. Even more challenging, the RN must navigate a wide range of family dynamics — family members who may be overprotective, angry, or emotionally detached. While this is not an easy task, a skilled nurse responds with patience and care to foster cooperation. Sometimes simply being a good listener and offering genuine support is enough to get the job done.
"Difficult patients, families, and professional stress"
"Why nursing remains fulfilling despite its hardships"
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