My patient, like the other patients in the hospital, was confined to her bed, and one of my responsibilities were to keep her from developing bed sores, which would cause extra complications.  In addition to log rolling every two hours, I assisted my patient in performing passive exercises to promote blood circulation and prevent muscle atrophy. An 8-hour shift is not enough to do all the interventions in my plan of care, so I had to focus, manage my tasks, and even extend my shift for a few minutes. Unfortunately, the patient is only allowed one watcher and naturally they also have to eat and bathe. I offered to stay beside the patient and give up my breaks just so my patient’s son could eat and change at home. I told myself that this was nothing compared to them being here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while I only get to stay here for six days. While he was away, I was conversing and telling stories to my patient even if she was verbally unresponsive. Then I noticed that the skin on the bony-prominent areas of my patient was starting to become scaly, so I bought her lotion and instructed her son to apply it at bedtime. Even though I was already fatigued, seeing her son's tiny smile as he thanked me changed my day. Those little things give me the motivation to keep doing what I'm doing. To continue on this difficult path and achieve my goals and dreams. Fortunately, I was offered the opportunity to have my clinical experience in the same ward. But this time, we had even more difficulties because we were handed additional patients. During our shift, I noticed one of my classmates struggling in the stroke unit. I decided to come in and assist them because I had completed my charting and had already delegated my responsibilities to my original patient. I and two other groupmates oversaw an entire unit of ten patients. It was one of the most exhausting experiences I've ever had. One patient was initiated a code as medications were being pushed, and the other patients required vital signs to be recorded for monitoring, while medications were due for some patients all at the same time. As a student nurse, it was a lot to take in. 

Those events, in retrospect, shaped me into a compassionate, empathetic, and selfless nurse. Nursing is, undoubtedly, a difficult profession. It can get filthy, unpleasant, and stinky. Sleepless nights and skipping meals are unavoidable. But those things are now only a minor part of it since, at the end of the day, I've discovered what nursing is truly about. Nursing is a passionate sacrifice in pursuit of helping other people.