Reflections
How Blood Flows Through a Nurse ’ s Heart By Jennifer N . Murry
Afew months ago , I saw an image circulating on the internet that portrayed the anatomy of a nurse . The image showed a mind that never stops assessing , a stomach that was empty , and scrubs that had stains on them with a mysterious origin . It described the nurse ’ s hands as dry and chapped , eyes as glossy from exhaustion .
As I looked at this image , I thought that it lacked something very important . It lacked emotion . The proper anatomy of a nurse cannot be explained without the use of genuine emotion . A nurse ’ s mind never stops assessing because it is his or her duty to anticipate what the patient needs . It is his / her responsibility to protect and care for the patient as a whole and as a human , not as a single disease or injury . His / her hands were dry , but not too dry to hold the hands of a patient who just needed a moment to feel someone ’ s touch or did not want to be alone when leaving this earth . His / her eyes may have been glossy , from tears , after losing a patient cared for , tirelessly , for several days . His / her stomach may have been empty because of prioritizing the care of patients over a lunch break . The mysterious stains on clothes represent strength , the strength to care for one patient , brush it off , and walk into another patient ’ s room with a brand new smile . I believe that to define nursing , you need to feel it beyond writing words . Nursing is a promise and a commitment to provide compassionate care for others , but it is also more . It is being a friend , an advocate , a hand to hold , and the person who always shows up . It is being resilient , yet empathetic . It is being courageous , because actions , in a split second , can be the curtain between life or death for someone . It is having a heart that feels more deeply , and an open mind that provides unbiased care .
Why Did You Choose Nursing ? When asked why I chose nursing as my future career , I wasn ’ t sure how to explain this at first . Seeking an answer , I thought back to experiences that I had throughout my life . It was not until then that I realized that it wasn ’ t necessarily a single experience that contributed to my motivation . Instead , it was my empathetic heart that fueled this desire . I chose nursing because I know that I can empower others to take control of their health . I want to build meaningful relationships with patients and get to know their soul , rather than just their name on a chart . Nursing speaks to me and challenges me to be a better version of myself . It forces me to think outside of the box . It requires me to be strong , to share that strength with others when they are vulnerable and at their weakest . When I step into someone ’ s life , I want to make an impact . I want to promote healing by not only providing care , but by educating them based on what they need to thrive for the remainder of their lives .
When I think of my personality traits and how they pertain to nursing , I like the acronym CARE . The letter C is for conscientiousness , which is crucial to achieving the best possible outcome . The letter A is for adaptability from patient to patient , in which the situations vary . I ’ m willing and able to adapt to any situation under pressure . The letter R is for respect . I believe that this is an incredibly important core trait . Regardless of any personal beliefs I may have as an individual , I care for patients based on their values and beliefs . This is the definition of putting the patient first ! The letter E is for empathy . As I started this paper , I explained the importance of emotion and how it pertains to nursing . Empathy is a very powerful trait ; it allows me to feel what my patient feels , in a much deeper sense than words can describe .
Conclusion : A Nurse ’ s Beating Heart I believe that I was meant to be a nurse . I ’ ve never considered any other career path . My heart beats as a nurse ’ s heart does . It may sound unusual based on science , but I believe that the heart of a nurse is just different . It is as if the blood just flows differently . It is a heart filled with compassion and a burning desire to care for others to the absolute best of my abilities . I am incredibly excited for this journey . I believe that I will be whoever and whatever it takes to make a difference . n
Jennifer Murry is a nursing student at Northwest Florida
State College , Niceville , FL .
44 NSNA IMPRINT n APRIL / MAY 2021 n www . nsna . org