This article celebrates nurses all over the world. It hopes to highlight their accomplishments, challenges, and how much they contribute to society.

“I want to be a nurse.” This was my ultimate dream ever since I was in grade school and high school. My reason actually was very shallow: I love white that’s why I wanted to wear a white uniform and because I find it neat.

This was mainly my first interest why I wanted to study nursing. After spending four years in college, I found the true and deeper meaning of what it’s like to be a nurse. Nursing is not only about wearing a white uniform but it has a deeper meaning as to why it’s considered a noble profession. Nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and care even without a prescription. It’s about giving hope and helping change someone’s life for the better.

My journey to my profession has brought me into a deeper sense of my being after I joined the humanitarian organization of Doctors Without Borders in 2004. I was moved with the realities I saw in the field with my 14 years of working as a field worker in different countries that I’ve been. Doctors Without Borders has brought me to places that only a few people would dare to go and offer help.

Life was sometimes a little harsh yet I was so happy to see people especially my patients who are experiencing these hardships, still smiling and somehow contented of their situation. I had the chance to hear different stories of my patients, may it be happy or sad and I laughed a lot and cried as well after hearing their stories. Because of my experiences, I learned to be a good decision maker, a creative multitasker, a mentor, a team player and a leader.

It’s never too easy to be a nurse in the humanitarian world. There are instances wherein you will be assigned in remote unsafe areas and your only weapon is courage and faith. I admire my colleagues assigned to conflict areas for being so brave to put their lives at risk just to help others.

My experience as a humanitarian field nurse gave me a great sense of fulfillment in my profession and as a person. My journey will continue as long as I have the strength and courage to face the different challenges it will bring me to fulfill my work with purpose and dignity. Despite the challenges, I will always love my job and will always be proud of my profession. The best part of my job is, I don’t just help someone’s life to be better but I get to have the chance to explore different places and experience different cultures around the world. For me, I find my job challenging but also fun, full of adventures and beautiful memories that will forever be cherished.

We would love you to be part of the CW community!
Join now to share, connect, work and learn – it’s free.

JOIN NOW