blogs

The majority of us have had some kind of experience in a healthcare setting. We get sick, we get hurt, we see loved ones go through illness, we welcome new members into our family, and we have to say goodbye to others. It’s the (unfortunate) part of being human. I’ve had my fair share of those experiences. And I never truly realized how impactful many of those moments were until I started working in healthcare myself. 

2016, my first major surgery. I prepared myself for a spinal fusion surgery that would correct my severe scoliosis. This was my first major experience as a patient, and it opened my eyes to my passion for nursing. I learned about how patient nurses are as I watched my nurse (and my amazing CNA) turn me every hour throughout the night, and how empathetic they are as they calmed my nerves when I walked for the first time after surgery. Pediatric and orthopedic nurses will forever have my respect. 

Now fast forward to 2020, which seemed to be the year for literally everything to happen. I gained new respect for the nurses in women’s health services after a breast cancer scare, and the nurses who work in pre/OR/post-op after my breast mass removal surgery. Despite the darkness there is in those circumstances, my nurses remained calm and kept smiles on their faces. 

2020 was the year I really dove into taking better care of my mental health - something I had greatly pushed off. I allowed myself to begin taking an SSRI and seeking help from a therapist. My healthcare team did a wonderful job of reminding me that my mental health is just as important as my physical health. 

2020 also brought me on a long journey towards an official medical diagnosis of dysautonomia (something I’ve struggled with for a while). I’m sure that others with chronic health problems will agree that these diagnosis journeys are frustrating. My symptoms and experiences were frequently brushed off by medical professionals. As a future nurse, I’ve learned how important it is to really listen to your patients and see things through (yes, even if it’s been a long day and you’re just ready to go home). 

So why am I sharing all of this? I know, I know. The last thing anyone wants is more to be upset about. In reality, I want to share how influential being on that “other side” of healthcare has been in my own journey towards being a nurse. As a patient, I’ve seen both the good and the bad, and I know what patients look for in their healthcare team. There have also been so many moments where I think to myself that I won’t be able to be a good nurse because of my health struggles. But if I’ve learned anything during this journey, it’s that all those hard moments are only building me up to be a more insightful and compassionate nurse in the future. 

I’m sharing this so that, even if you haven’t been a patient yourself, you can empathize with your own patients on a new level one day. Be there for them through the good and the bad, and really listen to them. And for those that have been the patient and know what I’m talking about, I hope you know that your struggles aren’t making you any less of an amazing healthcare worker (something I have to remind myself of every day)! 

You have no idea of the impact you’re capable of. 

Ps. I want to make sure I take a moment to thank all my fellow healthcare workers out there! You may never truly understand how big of a difference you make in your patients’ lives. We see you, we’re thankful for you, and we’re rooting for you.