In the first testimony that I read, “A Nursing Story” by Andrew Schwartz, the author gave various dynamic perspectives of those involved in one particular patient’s life. The back and forth reflection from the different nurses that worked with patient Steven showcased the impact that he had on them and the little moments that truly make nursing worthwhile. Not only do these testimonies touch on issues present with caring with a terminally ill patient, but they also bring Steven back to life through these testimonies.
It is always hard to find a testimony that gives the audience a more personal and relatable account. However, the story The Haunting written by Thomas Schwarz gives a more in-depth view of the world of nursing through his own …show more content…
The two different accounts of the nursing experience builds on the definition of a nurse; nurses are not just caring for patients but they also develop through their actions and their patients. Throughout the text of the two testimonies that I examined, there were multiple emotions and messages that the authors used to deliver to the audience. In particular, the testimonies that the nurses gave were filled with cautionary advice and reflections as well as worthwhile experiences that made their job something they looked forward to. Examples of settings that have shook some of the nurses’ foundation are seen in detail with the …show more content…
An episode that the ER nurse illustrates is from his first experience with a patient dying: “I was not fine. I’m sure I looked gray and shaky as I washed down the wheelchair, pushed the discreetly draped patient to the morgue, and completed the paperwork” (Gutkind 36). Traumatized and shaken are a couple of words that I would describe that this particular nurse went through. As for me, the idea of being placed in such an unpredictable and uncontrollable situation is alarming because I panic when I see a spider. The mental strength needed for nursing is not something that can be easily picked up and learned right on the spot. As this ER nurse reveals to the reader, there is no clear path for someone to be mentally prepared for the unexpected situations that one might face as a nurse. Another aspect of nursing that leaves me to be uncertain is that as much as medical advancement there are, sometimes nurses can’t treat all physical pains given to them. As seen in the article, “The Nursing Story”, one of the nurses tending to patient Steven said, “It was so stressful, because there’s no set way to treat pain; you have to find the right cocktail” (Schwartz 3). This was a surprising comment for me as I didn’t realize that there were not a treatment for all pains. As ignorant as I may be to the limitations of medications, the fact that meds cannot help a patient be relieved of their physical pain is
It is always hard to find a testimony that gives the audience a more personal and relatable account. However, the story The Haunting written by Thomas Schwarz gives a more in-depth view of the world of nursing through his own …show more content…
The two different accounts of the nursing experience builds on the definition of a nurse; nurses are not just caring for patients but they also develop through their actions and their patients. Throughout the text of the two testimonies that I examined, there were multiple emotions and messages that the authors used to deliver to the audience. In particular, the testimonies that the nurses gave were filled with cautionary advice and reflections as well as worthwhile experiences that made their job something they looked forward to. Examples of settings that have shook some of the nurses’ foundation are seen in detail with the …show more content…
An episode that the ER nurse illustrates is from his first experience with a patient dying: “I was not fine. I’m sure I looked gray and shaky as I washed down the wheelchair, pushed the discreetly draped patient to the morgue, and completed the paperwork” (Gutkind 36). Traumatized and shaken are a couple of words that I would describe that this particular nurse went through. As for me, the idea of being placed in such an unpredictable and uncontrollable situation is alarming because I panic when I see a spider. The mental strength needed for nursing is not something that can be easily picked up and learned right on the spot. As this ER nurse reveals to the reader, there is no clear path for someone to be mentally prepared for the unexpected situations that one might face as a nurse. Another aspect of nursing that leaves me to be uncertain is that as much as medical advancement there are, sometimes nurses can’t treat all physical pains given to them. As seen in the article, “The Nursing Story”, one of the nurses tending to patient Steven said, “It was so stressful, because there’s no set way to treat pain; you have to find the right cocktail” (Schwartz 3). This was a surprising comment for me as I didn’t realize that there were not a treatment for all pains. As ignorant as I may be to the limitations of medications, the fact that meds cannot help a patient be relieved of their physical pain is