By Jasmin Pintane
A small interaction with a nurse changed the course of my life.
When I was a young girl, I went with my grandfather to an appointment at the Veterans Affairs hospital in San Francisco. He was having issues with his leg, and I was worried about him and curious about what was going on. As my grandfather was attended to by medical personnel, I sat by, eyes wide, trying to make sense of what was happening.
Even though his nurse had plenty to do, the nurse noticed my concern. He invited me to my grandfather’s bedside so he could help me understand what he was doing, explaining each step. He used words my grandfather and I could both understand and as he worked, he said, “Maybe you’ll be a nurse someday, too.” That moment stayed with me, and ultimately shaped the path I would take.
Understanding the many settings where nurses work
As an adult, I’ve gone from working as a medical assistant (MA) to a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), and then to a registered nurse (RN). I now serve as the director of nursing at MCHC, and I’ve had the privilege of caring for hundreds of patients in many different settings.
What I didn’t understand as a kid is just how many opportunities exist in the nursing profession. Nursing staff, a term that refers to MAs, LVNs, and RNs, work across many fields and disciplines.
You’ll find nurses in clinics and hospitals, like the one I first visited, and in nearly every medical specialty: pediatrics, obstetrics, emergency care, surgery, oncology, and more.
Nursing staff also serve in less visible roles. Some nurses monitor patients’ medical interactions behind the scenes. Others work in informatics, using technology and data to guide patient care decisions on a broad scale. Some nurses provide wellness services such as intravenous hydration or electrolyte therapy. Others work in home health, caring for patients in the comfort of their own home.
Nursing staff also work in community health, educating the public, administering vaccines, and taking blood pressure readings at events and public clinics. You’ll also find nurses on staff in schools, in the military, on cruise ships, and even at places like Disneyland. And nurses don’t even have to be in the same room to provide care sometimes – they play a vital role in telehealth, providing care to patients who can’t easily get to a clinic.
Serving as a nurse in a rural community
The people on the nursing staff are the first point of contact for medical care. Because nurses play such essential roles in so many aspects of society, a shortage of nurses impacts entire communities. We’re continuing to see this across the country, and the effects can be especially serious in rural areas like ours. Without nurses, people cannot receive timely, effective care.
Even as we face challenges, I see so many rewards offered by a nursing career. And thankfully, in both large and small communities, future nurses can enter the profession through many pathways, whether as an MA, LVN, or RN. Locally, programs through the Mendocino County Office of Education and through Mendocino College allow individuals to choose the path that fits their interest and availability.
If you’ve been in a medical setting, you may have noticed how many men have entered the nursing field. The persistent but outdated belief that nurses are mostly women is far from the truth. Nursing is a growing and rewarding field for people of all genders. Anyone with compassion and a desire to care for others can thrive in this profession, just like the male nurse who once helped me and my grandfather.
In rural areas, the pace of life is slower and the pool of patients is smaller. This means we often see our patients out in the community, whether we’re returning books at the library, shopping for groceries, or picking up our kids from school. We build real relationships in our workplaces and with those we care for.
Acknowledging the challenges — and the rewards
Although I love being a nurse, I wouldn’t say it’s easy. The work is physically and emotionally demanding. It can be especially tough when you’re caring for someone who’s going through something you’ve personally experienced, like a miscarriage or a difficult diagnosis. Still, those tough moments often lead to powerful connections.
I regularly hear stories of nursing staff going above and beyond the requirements of their shift. One LVN recently spent hours of her own time working with an insurance company that initially denied a patient’s claim. The nurse didn’t give up until the patient’s care was covered and the patient could get the care they needed.
This May, during National Nurses Month, I encourage you to take a moment to thank a member of the nursing staff. And if you’ve ever felt the tug toward this kind of work, don’t wait – our community needs compassionate, caring people exactly like you.
Jasmin Pintane, MSN, RN, PHN, is the director of nursing at MCHC Health Centers, a community-based and patient-directed organization that provides comprehensive primary healthcare services as well as supportive services such as education and translation that promote access to healthcare. MCHC includes Hillside Health Center and Dora Street Health Center in Ukiah, Little Lake Health Center in Willits, and Lakeview Health Center in Lakeport.
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