I Treat My Patients with Kindness and Understanding

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My father could easily get sick, and it was hard to avoid even a cold as a kid. This experience shaped how I perceive illness and healing. My family and I would do anything to prevent him from getting sick.

Later in life, my father was diagnosed with cancer. You can’t imagine what this meant for me. I had nursing school obligations and was caring for my father, who was undergoing chemotherapy. Caring for my father shaped how I care for my patients in my practice. As I was completing my BSN my father passed away. It was a very difficult journey, especially as I was trying to graduate; however, I was able to resignify this experience and fuel my hope to be a support for my patients when times are difficult for them and their loved ones.

When I was younger, my goal was to become a doctor, but something was calling for me to give back more to my patients. I wanted to have a closer relationship with my patients than I had seen from doctors. My sister had started medical school and shared her experience. Listening to my inner compass, I decided to choose nursing. I also choose the VANAP program to give back to veterans. My father was a veteran, and he was proud that I was serving them. Later as I started working at Sutter in the ED and began to work with a diverse group of people and patients, I discovered my desire to serve people with different cultural backgrounds.

During my BSN in Sacramento, I made a lot of friends who became a lifelong support group. I loved being in a smaller cohort and creating a family-like dynamic. Friendship was tremendous in nursing school. We all struggled together but overcame the most challenging times with each other’s support. Nursing school is not a positive experience for some students, but I will never forget nursing school as some of the most complex and best years of my life. I grew so much; I learned about loss, how to manage my time, acquired lifelong skills, and built self-resilience.

At USF, we often reflected on the meaning of caring for the whole person. Often patients who suffer from chronic diseases also face mental illness. I learned how to address their conditions while providing mental health support and resources. We have many patients that struggle, and as their nurse, I can be a support.

I was raised in a household where finances were tight, and all of my schooling cost was something I had to be able to afford. My father was our head of household and made just enough to pay for bills and his medications. I received the HRSA scholarship at USF, which took this burden off me. I didn’t need to take out more loans and was able to afford my education!

Today and every day, I will treat my patients with kindness and understanding. Coming to the ED is scary for the patients and caregivers. I tend to forget about it since I am there every day. However, I know I have had experiences in the ED that scared me and having someone empathetic to relate to and guide the process is something I will pursue.

Nursing is really hard. Not just in academics but in practice. Life will challenge you; however, you know you are a strong person, with the knowledge and skills to do anything and make a difference. I love nursing. You don’t have to be a bedside nurse, you can branch out. You can even go into sales, aesthetics, informatics, outpatient, and so much more. Nursing can be a rewarding career. My message to current nursing students and those graduating soon, I say keep true to yourself. Nurses are amazing!