when I began working, I did it because it was fast paced and very exciting…I work in an operating room..I have to admit at first I lost a lot of sleep because it was stressful learning the skills I needed in the environment where everyone wants you up to speed instantly. After a while, I saw there was so much more to it. I realized many times I was a patients last contact…we do have many critical cases that don’t make it. I can really make a difference. I am not the physican so I will not save the patient but I can be there when the patient is really scared, has no one else looking out for them and try to do what they or their family would want…let them know we are going to do our best, hold their hand, keep them covered up etc and when they don’t make it and I have to take care of them, I can and do pray for them and their family. I think most of my colleagues do the same. Things have become very stressful where I work with staff cutbacks and increased hours and a focus on charting instead of the patient but it doesn’t take much to remind me why I am there….I am so thankful I can do this