As a kid, we start getting ideas about what we want to be when we get older. Whether it be an astronaut, a doctor, a lawyer, a model, or a firefighter; we all remember that one person we wanted to become as a child.

As I feel that all of these dreams are great and ambitious, I was the kid that always dreamed about helping people. I once wanted to become a physical therapist or a doctor, but then one day, I realized that the best fit for me was to become a nurse. There are many people within my family that are nurses, but I did not desire to become a nurse just because it was common in my family. I want to become a nurse, because I truly have a passion for helping others. My friends ask me why I stress over school so much, or why I want to take on such a challenging job when there are many more "easier" options, and every time they ask me, I find myself coming up with more reasons as to why becoming a nurse is right up my alley.

When people ask me, "Cassie, why do you want to become a nurse?"

I smile and simply say because I want to help people. But really, being a nurse is so much more than just helping people, even though that is the overall goal of nurse; I think it can be defined in a much more detailed explanation. Nurses are strong, yet compassionate. Nurses have much determination, yet they have the softest, sweetest touch. Nurses are educators, always willing to teach and learn. Nurses are good listeners, who always seem to have the right words to say. Nurses are basically the "mothers/fathers of a hospital." I want to become someone who is always willing to lend a helping hand. I want to be someone that is able to comfort others as they deal with things that may scare them. I want to be someone that can help the families of each patient, making them comfortable and understanding as to what is going on. I want to be the one who is able to make people feel better. I want to be someone who inspires others to become apart of something that is bigger than themselves.

There are many things about a hospital that can terrifying: the sight of needles, the sound of monitors beeping through the hallways, seeing nurses and doctors rushing a patient into surgery, the smell of medicines and fluids drifting in the air, or the touch of your loved ones hand as they worry if things will be okay.

I want to become a nurse because all of these things don't scare me at all. When a child is scared to get an IV or a shot, I want to be the one that calms them, talks to them, and helps them overcome their fears. When loud beeps coming from the patient monitors rage throughout out the nurses station, I want to be able to walk into a patients room and turn the monitor off, while also checking to make sure they don't need more fluids. When someone needs to be rushed into surgery, I want to be the nurse that patient trusts enough to hold their hand once their mother or father cant go beyond the double doors. I don't mind the smell of medicine or oxygen because it is one thing that is helping my patient. Lastly, I want to be the one who can give a patient and their family comfort, compassion, and hope, regardless if something is wrong, because I have enough faith in God, that no matter what, things will be okay.

Being a nurse is a beautiful thing. I am meant to be a nurse because I am compassionate, I am willing, I am hopeful, and I am strong. When someone needs a leap of faith, I am willing to leap with them.

When someone is scared, I am willing to do what it takes to through that fear out the window. I am willing to teach others and fill their minds with the knowledge that my brain holds. I am determined to do what needs to be done to make my patient feel comfortable. I want my patients to know in every way possible, that they are in good hands. Nurses are important, nurses do care, and nurses are determined, because helping others is what nurses thrive on. They wake up every morning, for a 12+ hour shift, to watch over you or your loved one. Nurses are the "mothers/fathers of a hospital" and that, to me, is becoming a part of something that is way bigger than myself.