Example Of Work Experience: Nursing Essay

As soon as I finished my Associate class in Pre-nursing and feeling well-prepared, I applied for a job in a rehabilitation center in summer, 2012. I arrived early on the day of my interview and was waiting for my turn by the reception, when the DNS came and suggested we both walk to her office. Her extremely tired look surprised me greatly and my astonishment elevated even more when I heard her saying that she had been working for 20 hours non-stop that day. Right at the sound of it, I immediately thought this was a challenge I wanted to go through, because I was certain that no matter how much I knew about healthcare and nursing jobs, I would never be able to complete my training without facing the aforementioned challenges. I even told the DNS my urge to help and she replied “Well, come to our team”.
On my first day of work, I was a bit nervous and unsure of what to expect. However, once I suited up and walked into the building, I knew nursing was the profession I was meant to pursue. Through my work, I witnessed the staff working tirelessly to care for patients who had experienced long term and short term care and trying to stabilize the condition of others. Fortunately, individualized activity plans, as provided by the facility, made the lives of those struggling with a health condition easier. Moreover, assisting each one of the patients to actively participate in those activities on a daily basis is not only beneficial for them, but also makes me take the lead and look for ways to accomplish the residents’ satisfaction. What is more, I also understood the high importance of my role in regards to helping families deal with a tragedy.
Being a CNA was the most demanding and intense hourly paid job I had ever experienced. I was responsible for at least ten patients, for whom I had to consider each one’s morning/nightly rituals, meal times, bathing, toileting, family visits, therapy sessions, recreational activities, preferences and, most importantly, their care plan. The nursing staff had to run as a synchronized, well-oiled machine in order to properly care for all of the patients. With that being said, being a CNA was also one of the most rewarding jobs I had experienced and will not forget.
What amazed me was the support of the staff and family members that helped create a warm environment for the residents, which allowed them to live an enjoyable life. I will never forget one particular resident in her early sixties. She was half paralyzed on her one arm and one leg, unable to talk and completely unable to live alone. She had found a way to express her feelings on sign and was very sensitive. I was always assigned to her as a nursing Aid and in time I connected to her and learnt of her certain ways of arranging things and requesting for help. I knew that she showed her disappointment by making a loud noise and I tried to use encouraging words and energy as a motivated care giver to brightened her day, which I often managed to accomplish. In return, her satisfaction made me feel very joyful to serve and it was quite amazing to realize that such a small gesture could have such a positive impact on someone’s life.
The experiences I gained during my work in the rehabilitation center were life-changing. It was then when I realized that my life would be more complete and fulfilling, if I worked in order to improve the lives of others as it relates to nursing.
The most important skill I learned and developed is communication, mostly with the residents, which is very essential in order to be an effective helper. The more I work with residents, the more I learn how to achieve good relationships and the opportunity given to me to change even a fraction of their lives is amazing. I got to know most of the residents and even made great friendships with some of them. The fact that I enjoyed talking with them and spending a great amount of time together has armed me with great communicating skills, patience, and most importantly, I have learned to understand people. Whenever I helped the elderly and saw their little smile on their face, I was really happy that could not explain sufficiently with words. I felt such fulfillment and realized that being a CNA is my life’s dream.Nursing is a job where interpersonal skills are very important and provide the means for a good relationship with both the residents and their family. I believe a caring heart sets the foundation to gain trust and feel confident in building the profession satisfactory. I am well aware that nursing is a difficult profession and requires utmost responsibility. To me, nursing is always listening to your heart, trying to serve the best you can those in need and giving back to your community wholeheartedly, always bearing in mind that your community is your family.