“What It Takes to Be A Nurse”

Nursing is an honorable profession, one that requires skill and dedication in

handling diverse patients and providing optimal care. As an individual who aspires to
take up such a profession, I often ponder, “What does it take to be a nurse?”.
Technically, to be a nurse means earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree,
passing the nurse licensure exam to officially be a registered nurse, and finding work in
a wide variety of healthcare settings (Find University, n.d.). However, I view those
strides as steps to becoming a nurse by name only. It fails to capture the true essence of
nursing. When a patient is in need, nurses actively listen with no prejudice and use their
skills to provide interventions that will improve their patient’s quality of life. Nursing is
about utilizing one’s capabilities and knowledge to become a beacon of hope for a person
in their lowest point of health, and guide them towards recovery, maintenance of well-
being, or a peaceful death (RNpedia, n.d.). It is about developing an individual’s mindset
to project an unbiased and compassionate attitude toward those who are struggling to
meet their healthcare needs, regardless of their race, religion, social standing, or
sexuality.
Like any other profession, nursing can be draining and difficult. During a
previous interview with my aunt who is a USRN, she said, “Being a nurse, I have the
opportunity to witness people’s happiest and most horrible times of their lives. At times,
it takes a toll on me.” She also emphasized the importance of collaboration with other
professionals when providing patient care. According to EMS (n.d.), healthcare delivery
is team-based for it includes the joint effort of doctors, nurses, practitioners,
pharmacists, social workers, and many more. This highlights the significance of effective
communication. To be a nurse not only entails possessing the required knowledge,
mastering the necessary nursing procedures, and developing the right attitude, but it is
also about having communication skills to talk with patients and the healthcare team to
provide the best possible care. This skill helps to greatly reduce risks and improve
quality outcomes, patient safety, patient experience, as well as the use of resources
(EMS, n.d.).
As I reflect on all these points, I am able to view nursing from a new perspective,
one that not only sees this as a noble profession but also as a line of work that comes
with heavy responsibilities and duties. Despite the wide variety of careers, I chose to
pursue nursing because I believe this to be the best possible way to express my care for
those in need. Regardless of the obstacles I am bound to encounter in pursuing this
course, I will continue to strive and overcome every single challenge in order to finally
have what it takes to be a nurse. Becoming one not only involves earning a BSN degree,
passing the board exam, and getting hired, it is also about developing the right outlook,
character, and skills to work together with clients and healthcare teams holistically to
make an impact in patients’ lives, not only by helping them in their health transitions (to
recovery, maintenance of health, or peaceful death), but to leave a positive influence
that will forever linger.

References:
EMS (n.d.). 5 Reasons Nurses Must Excel at Interprofessional Collaboration. Retrieved
November 22, 2022, from
https://www.simulationiq.com/blog/content/5-reasons-nurses-must-excel-at-
interprofessional-collaboration/
Find University (n.d.) BS in Nursing in the Philippines. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
from
https://www.finduniversity.ph/majors/bs-in-nursing-philippines/#:~:text=To
%20become%20a%20Registered%20Nurse,Professional%20Regulations
%20Commission%20(PRC).
RNpedia (n.d.) Nursing Theorist. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from
https://www.rnpedia.com/nursing-notes/fundamentals-in-nursing-notes/
nursing-theorist/