Yes, you read that right. I do not have dreams of being a Pediatric nurse, unlike many of my fellow classmates. I do not know if I see myself in Geriatrics (old people) either but one thing I do know is that I love them.
I recently changed jobs from working at an assisted living to working home health. It wasnโt the patients that made me want to switch jobs, it was the company. I have a special place in my heart for the elderly population, for their brutal honesty sometimes and their ability to tell a story for hours. Listening to the heartache of a woman who has outlived all of her family and friends and still gets out of bed every morning and is thankful. Laughing with my patient who forgot to put a brief on after using the bathroom because forgetfulness is a part of aging. Hearing my patient tell me about her dreams the night before and describing in great detail that in the dream she was young and beautiful.
I love people and I love being able to help in the nursing field. I always said that I would be a Pediatric nurse one day but I would not give up the life lessons or heartbreaking stories that I hear everyday taking care of the elderly population. It truly does take a different person to enjoy this job but it is so truly rewarding. You will understand when your patient who has dementia recognizes you as soon as you walk in the room but does not recognize their own family member. And you will understand when you are crying with your patient because it is her husbandโs birthday or their anniversary. You see a whole 90 years flash in their eyes and the longing to be young again.ย
Aging is a part of life and we will all one day be old and gray. I choose to take care of older people because I think that they deserve as much care as anyone else, maybe even a little more. I get excited to learn from my elderly clients each day and to hear their amazing stories.
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