Reflection on Nursing
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest accomplishment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – (Buscaglia, 1982)
To be a nurse is to embrace the power of consistency, serving as the catalyst for healing, growth, improvement, and connection. Committed nurses dedicate themselves to meticulous and repetitive tasks, such as tending to wounds or offering a listening ear to a lonely patient. These ‘small’ acts, carried out with care and intention, form the foundation of the profound healing and transformation that nursing brings to individuals and communities.
My journey to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) stems from a lifelong passion for holistic health and wellness and a desire to make even the slightest difference in people’s lives. My experiences as a personal trainer and in holistic nutrition have deepened my understanding of the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being. These experiences have inspired me to expand my scope of practice through nursing, that I now understand to be a profession that aligns with my belief in holistic care and advocacy for health and wellness equality. Nursing offers a unique opportunity to integrate my passion for health promotion, patient empowerment, and addressing systemic challenges in healthcare.
Despite the consistent signs and ‘universal nudges’ guiding me toward nursing, I initially wondered whether the profession was right for me. I perceived nursing as restrictive, with systemic barriers and overwhelming demands that hinder a nurses’ ability to foster comprehensive physical, mental, and emotional health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I reflected deeply on my ideal workplace environment, realizing it includes independent work, physical engagement, collaborative problem-solving, mentorship, and a dynamic, mentally challenging setting. These realizations ultimately helped me see how nursing could embody these qualities, especially with my commitment to holistic and proactive approaches to care.
Entering the nursing program has been transformative. I have come to appreciate the profound potential of nursing to bridge gaps in healthcare, advocate for patients, and implement meaningful change. While I have already begun to align my values with professional practice, nursing demands continuous learning, self-assessment, and reflection. During the semester I, this process has deepened my understanding of the importance of meticulous documentation. The criteria and extensiveness of documentation will be a challenge I had first underestimated but now see as essential for patient safety and care continuity (Astle et al., 2023).
As I progress through the nursing program, I remain committed to my core values of empowerment, accountability, advocacy, and commitment. These values will guide me in navigating difficult situations, building connections, collaborating with other professionals, and exceeding the standards of care. I am driven by a desire to care for individuals and address systemic barriers to health and wellness, promoting equality and holistic healing within the healthcare system.
Nursing is more than a profession to me—it is a calling. It aligns with my purpose to foster health, growth, and empowerment in others while continually growing and learning myself. I am eager to embrace the challenges and rewards of this journey, knowing that each step brings me closer to becoming the nurse I aspire to be.
“Anywhere see suffering, that I where I want to be, doing what I can”. – (Princess Diana, n.d.)
This quote resonates deeply with my philosophy and the path I have chosen in nursing. It captures why I entered this field: to be present where help is needed most, to alleviate suffering, and to empower others. As a nurse, I envision advocating for enhanced access to nutritional education and resources; I recognize that by addressing these systemic challenges health outcomes can be profoundly improved (Harding & Oetzel, 2019; (De Silva & Sumarto, 2018).
Empowering patients through the nursing process enables me to facilitate meaningful changes, particularly in addressing gut-related issues linked to diet and socioeconomic status. These challenges often result from inequities in food accessibility and knowledge, issues I am passionate about resolving (Harding & Oetzel, 2019).
I see myself as a catalyst for change, equipped with the skills and knowledge to lead important conversations about health promotion, food security, and in all holistic health. In both patient interactions and broader systemic discussions, I aim to bridge gaps and create sustainable solutions that improve the lives of individuals and communities. Princess Diana’s words remind me of the importance of being proactive and present where suffering exists—whether physical, emotional, or systemic. My goal is to alleviate this suffering and empower individuals to regain control over their health and well-being.
Through nursing, I can embody this value by combining compassion with action, addressing the root causes of health disparities, and fostering resilience in the face of adversity.