I became a nurse because the nursing profession offers a unique combination of compassion, human sciences, and professionalism—the nursing profession is like none other. I am the first person in my family to graduate with a college degree and I did not want to pursue any area of study other than nursing.

Seeing my patients recover from being severely ill is emotionally rewarding. There is also a high level of excitement about caring for acutely ill and unstable patients. Being a critical care nurse means that I will never be bored. I’m happy that I work with nurses who are knowledgeable and whom I can trust to help me make critical decisions. It is exciting and essential to me that I am part of a team that is truly patient focused.

I cared for an elderly patient who required mechanical ventilation. His lungs were fibrotic and he had multiple pneumothoraces,...

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