Nursing seen as a vocation, not a job

Saint Anthony nurses tell how profession is dealing with nationwide shortage

CROWN POINT Elena Dejesus has been a nurse 35 years. Amy Worley has been in the profession less than half of that time.

Despite differences in age and experience, they agree nursing is a calling; more than a job. However, it is a profession fewer people are entering these days, making a nationwide nursing shortage greater than ever.

Both say a combination of increased career opportunities, a lack of nursing school instructors and the demands of an emotionally and physically taxing job have contributed to a nationwide nursing shortage that experts say could reach 500,000 by the year 2025. The average age of a nurse in the U.S. is 47, the highest ever.

That’s why to Dejesus, Saint Anthony Medical Center unit manager of short/stay and pediatrics, “it’s so exciting to see new nurses embrace the profession.”

She also reports that Saint Anthony has experienced minimal impact from the nursing shortage and has a low turnover rate, despite the challenges many hospitals face today.

“You give up a lot to be a nurse. It’s demanding, physically, emotionally and spiritually. You work shift work and holidays, but to me, it’s not bad at all. The job security is there and it is a prestigious job.”

Dejesus says she considers her work a vocation.

“It’s about the ability and opportunity to help transform a life. My nursing ‘cap’ is on all the time. You don’t stop being a nurse at the end of eight hours,” Dejesus says, adding she is not bothered by neighbors, family or friends who might come to her with a health issue while she is off duty.

Neither is Worley, who serves with Dejesus as clinical resource nurse-pediatrics.

“Everybody has health concerns,” Worley relates. “I have made friends because of those concerns. People know I’m a nurse and it helps form connections. We can help turn a bad experience into one that is not so bad. What we’re doing is above and beyond a profession.”

Carol Schuster and Carolyn Bender each have more than 30 years in the nursing field. Schuster is vice president of Patient Services at Saint Anthony; Bender is director of nursing operations.
They, too, are concerned about the challenge the health care field faces in the future, in the face of the projected shortage, but point out some ways the concern is being addressed.

“One of the key issues is a shortage of nursing school instructors,” Schuster says.
She adds Saint Anthony is working with area universities to help provide support for instructors and that some of Saint Anthony’s nurses are becoming part-time instructors.

“Nursing has the challenge of being seen as the profession that it is. I stress to our nurse orientees how important it is to develop and promote themselves as professionals -- to continue their education, practice according to professional standards and join professional organizations.”
Schuster fears the shortage could hurt health care in the future, but is encouraged by the new nurses she sees joining the work force.

“We’re doing everything we can to support nursing schools. The goal is to present nursing as a profession of choice – to show how fulfilling nursing really is. I am encouraged every time I see the passion present in our new nurses.”

She agrees with Dejesus about the profession being rewarding, despite the demands, which are becoming ever greater, given increased technology, infection risks and the growing obesity rate of the American public, among other factors.

“You have to have passion for what you do. You realize what a privilege your job is. You are an advocate for the patients, who often are in a very vulnerable state.”
Bender agrees “the trust the patients put in you” makes the job challenging, but the feeling that comes from helping is invaluable.

“You teach them; you hold their hand. You give them emotional support in uncomfortable situations – yet, you also need technical skills. Patients go home so much earlier these days. You have to make sure the patients have the services and knowledge they need.”

Plus, Bender says nursing allows members to grow within the field, adding new challenges are available in different sectors.

“Nurses don’t have to change careers to go down a new and exciting career path. They can readily change from working in an emergency department to being employed as a school nurse at a high school, or as a traveling nurse for three months in Hawaii,” she says.