Reflection is a critical element of nursing that promotes the work we carry out. It enables me to gain insight into my professional experiences, understand my reactions, and continually improve my practice. Self-reflection is important in providing high standards of care and for gaining a greater understanding of our purpose in nursing. The College of Nurses of Ontario considers self-reflection to be an important component of continuous competence (CNO, 2014). Reflective practice in nursing helps us review and improve our clinical abilities and self-awareness (Tashiro et al., 2013). Reflecting on positive and negative experiences can help us to recognize effective interventions and areas for improvement (Davis, 2018).

Nursing feels like a true calling for me, rooted in a lifelong desire to assist others during their most vulnerable moments. My childhood ignited this calling when I cared for my father, a contractor frequently injured in his work. Bandaging his wounds and providing comfort not only sparked my commitment to compassionate care but also instilled in me the foundational values of empathy and attentiveness that guide my nursing practice today. In high school, I had a coop placement as a teacher’s assistant to help kindergarten students with their education, engaging them in play, and supporting them in adapting to the learning environment. The experience really highlighted my desire to help others.

After completing the Personal Support Worker program in 2014, I started working with an elderly, vulnerable population in long-term care. This experience strengthened my desire to advocate for and improve their care, which led me to enroll in and complete the Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) program in 2017. This confirmed that I was headed in the correct direction and, in retrospect, really set the groundwork for my nursing career. My present position as an RPN and Trauma Float Nurse at Sunnybrook has motivated me to seek a position in critical care where I can have a profound impact on my patients’ lives.

Now that I’ve reached a point where I feel challenged and engaged with my profession, here’s an example of the motivation that keeps me continuing on my nursing career. As I walk into the Emergency Department for a shift—a place I truly enjoy—I settle in with my patients when suddenly the ambulance sirens blare, signalling the arrival of a trauma case. Curious to see the new patient, I make my way down to the Trauma Bay observation area. EMS transports the patient, who is in critical condition. The Trauma Bay staff quickly receives the patient and moves them to the stretcher for a thorough assessment. The Trauma Team Lead climbs a ladder to oversee the patient and coordinate their care. Three nurses, an X-ray technician, the Trauma Team Lead, a representative from each specialty service, and an anesthesiologist are among the many people working in the busy Trauma Bay. They systematically scan the patient from head to toe, and I’m amazed at the amount of teamwork and coordination required to save this person’s life. One of the nurses records everything that happens, demonstrating the team’s systematic approach. I fell really in love with the idea of the Trauma Bay after this experience. Due to the acuity of the patients, only trained Registered Nurses work in the Trauma Bay, but RPNs like myself are able to observe. I take advantage of every opportunity to see the patients in the Trauma Bay because it keeps me focused on my goal: finishing my degree and eventually working there. It takes an extraordinary amount of teamwork to save patients who have suffered serious trauma, a concept of nursing I truly admire.

Over the course of my nursing career, I have learned to appreciate teamwork as an essential component of nursing. Team-based treatment can improve patient outcomes (Will et al., 2019), as I’ve seen firsthand in Sunnybrook’s Emergency Department (ED). I am mindful that ineffective teamwork can cause the healthcare system to fall apart. Nurses, in my opinion, perform exceptionally well both individually and collaboratively. Nurses and interdisciplinary team members collaborate to enhance patient health outcomes in the emergency department, where teamwork is the main focus. This occurs frequently in the Trauma Bay, such as when the patient noted arriving and lifesaving procedures were implemented to save him. Team-based models and interdisciplinary professionals of two or more are frequently associated with higher patient satisfaction levels (Will et al., 2019). Aside from the fascinating patient load, it is the team-based environment that truly motivates me to work in the Emergency Department.