After a series of illnesses and injuries during my early childhood, I was introduced to the role and care of Nurses. It was from here I became fascinated and realised this could be a satisfying future outlet for my empathetic self. I feel that nurses are truly inspirational professionals. They provide an inestimable service to society whilst working in a highly demanding and very challenging career, assisting individuals and their families through difficult times when they are at their most vulnerable. I feel I am ready to embark on this career and start to fulfill this ambition of mine to become a children’s nurse.

I believe nursing is a career in which I will excel because of my compassion for those who are at their most vulnerable. My ability to empathise with individuals would provide a positive nurse and patient relationship, putting the child and family at ease, allowing the family to approach me for support and guidance and therefore meet specific needs of the child and their family. Self-confidence is something I consider to be highly important within a nursing career. Having self-belief when working under pressure and in stressful situations is crucial when ensuring high quality care is delivered. Nursing can be a stressful career where traumatic situations are common.

My previous studies have hugely influenced me to pursue this career. Having completed 4 work placements in primary schools, preschool nurseries and children centres, I have worked with children and families from all walks of life. During my first two placements at primary schools I assisted children ages four to five who need more support with their education within the classroom. I worked with children who had intellectual disabilities and therefore developed slower than other children it was extremely rewarding to see them succeed. Having studied children’s development within this placement has enchanced my own development of having the ability to provide a relationship based on trust; this being something I consider extremely important within the nursing career. I have dealt with challenging behaviour and have a clear understanding and respect of the needs and problems of each individual child. From this, I have been able to empower each individual child and their family to receive individualised care, which enables each child to reach their full potential.

Placements have hugely influenced me to become a child’s nurse because supporting children to do well and succeed has brought many rewards. To see their positive outlook and self-belief increase has filled me with delight and a sense of pride that I had helped children get to where they are now. My current placement is in a children’s centre for vulnerable children and families. This has also inspired me because my role of supporting families is something I hugely enjoyed and seeing parents bond with their children, with my help and support, is hugely rewarding. Supporting vulnerable parents to succeed in their parenting role requires teamwork and adaptation, I have always been a strong team member and taking leadership has always been a strength of mine, I feel I thrive within this environment.

Within my next placement, I will be working at the Megan Baker House, helping to provide conductive education to children with motor disorders, and help to offer independence to children with a wide variety of life changing disabilities, will open my eyes to the challenges both the individual child, but also the family, face on a daily basis. Being able to help and support each individual affected, through one to one work when each family is at their upmost vulnerable is something I feel will be extremely rewarding, and a dream of mine to continue and persue into the near future.

These experiences have given me a huge sense of satisfaction and reinforced my desire to become a children’s nurse.