RON'S STORY

What inspired you to enter the nursing profession?

Originally what inspired me to enter the nursing profession was a need for a steady income. Having been between jobs on several occasions made it necessary for me to consider a career change. A medical condition that my wife had been diagnosed with made it necessary for us to spend many hours going to doctors' appointments and many days and nights in the hospital.

As I was introduced to the medical field I was lucky enough to have a few doctors that were willing to sit and explain things in detail. I was also allowed at times to discuss tests with them and even was able to watch while tests were being performed.

After seeing the dedication and skill that the nurses had and being able to assist my wife in her recovery process, I was interested in learning more. At first when my wife and a friend said, "you should become a nurse." I thought, "me? No way." But as I looked into the education required and the vast amount of opportunity available, I decided to make the change.

What has kept you at CHOC?

What has kept me here are the people. The feeling that I get from the service I am able to give is incredible! Service to the patients, their families, and the associates I work with, have all been great sources of happiness and fulfillment for me.

From the first time I cared for a young child and was able to calm his fears and make the "hurt" go away, I was hooked. It's an incredible feeling to walk into a patient's room, sit next to them, hold their hand, and have them know I am there to help. Being able to communicate that to them with, not only words, but with a feeling that comes from a prayer in my heart; that is why I'm still here.

Being able to watch a patient progress through a serious illness and know that I've been there as part of that healing process. The gratitude and the sense of accomplishment I feel when that patient goes home and says "thank you"; that is why I'm still here.

Being able to have nurses and doctors come to me when they are having difficulty with a patient, a family, or a procedure; and knowing that they will be there for me when I'm in the same situation; is why I'm still here.

The teamwork demonstrated during a "code" situation, where you work and work for what seems like forever, and to see the patient pull through, is also why I'm still here.