Why I Chose Nursing
Encountering this topic initially gave me a thought of taking a survey with my friends, colleagues as well as batch mates way back in college as to why they did chose nursing as a course in college.
Surprisingly, I had four major reasons why they pursue it:
1. To earn an income, preferably foreign currency. – This was the main reason 4 or 5 years ago when nursing as a profession as really in demand abroad. With our poverty-striken country, people would tend to find means to elevate the status of their living and one way is encouraging their children to take nursing as a course in college. However, at this present standpoint, with regression and other global issues aside, one might think twice before taking this course.
2. Because my mom, or aunt or any significant person have told them so. – This is in respect to wishes or frustrations of parents before who wanted to be a nurse if only time will allow them. Some would encourage it because it runs in the family that there are many skilled nurses in the clan. Some would still be financial reasons.
3. That was the trend. –Some students would drift to college without even knowing what course they would take. They would rather take the easier road by enrolling to a course where in numerous opted to. It is just like going with the flow.
4. Passing the nursing assessment examination was a privilege – I for instance, took this for a reason for taking up nursing. When I was in high school, I was hoping to become a medical doctor or something equivalent to that. I even considered nursing as a pre-med course at that time. It was like a practical reason for me to grab that opportunity to be enrolled in a nursing school. I thought that if I won’t be able to reach medical school, I am still a health worker. I am a nurse, that settles everything.
Whatever reasons my batchmates, friends and colleagues have in mind at the time they stepped into the world of nursing, one thing for sure is true – we were all in white uniform now serving the people the best as we can. That is I think the best reason why you choose nursing as a course in college. It was not late for us to learn the real reason for taking up that course.
In nursing, you will be able to learn many things about humans and how they live. Taking for example the curriculum of nursing, it involves 4 levels.
1. Level 1 – It is where you will learn that humans are unique. You will learn more about how humans function biologically, sociologically and spiritually. Humans are complex being to study but it us and it is therefore timely to know about “us”
2. Level 2 – It is where theories of nursing and the innate character of humans to care evolve. In this stage you learn that, we as human beings tend to care, nurture and protect and prolong life. This character and proper knowledge will evidently produce a care that is professional and with quality.
3. Level 3 – In this level, the course in nursing will take you to that fact that human beings have problems with their health and its dimensions. Management and treatment as well as prevention and restoration must be given to them. In times of death, nursing will teach you to assist individuals to a peaceful death. It is where you will really taste the essence of nursing care.
4. Level 4 – It is a stage wherein near mastery of nursing skills are exercised. The skills, knowledge and attitude play major roles in producing competent nursing students that are also able to lead the health team. Leadership roles and management actions are focused in this stage. The bottom line of this stage is to motivate you are an individual to be a leader of your own nursing practice.
Taking up nursing as course in college won’t promise you an income instantly. It really depends on the individual to cope with it and use it to improve himself or herself. It is therefore a challenge to take up nursing because of these reasons:
1. You are inclined to care for people.
2. You have the sense of being responsible of the health of an individual, group or community.
3. You have the heart to serve.
Nursing is a service-oriented profession. It is challenging in the first place but it is a fulfilling job at the end of the day.
Byron Webb Romero, RN, MSN
Finished BSN at Lyceum of the Philippines University, and Master of Science in Nursing Major in Adult Health Nursing at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. Currently working at Manila Doctors College of Nursing as a Team Leader for Level I and II, Lecturer for Professional Nursing Subjects, and also a Clinical Instructor.
