What if You Became a Nurse? | Sana Goldberg | TEDxHarvardCollege

In revealing many of the hidden connections between a liberal arts education and nursing, Sana explains why we should think about nursing in a profoundly new way.

In revealing many of the hidden connections between a liberal arts education and nursing, Sana explains why we should think about nursing in a profoundly new way.

Born in the Midwest, Sana Goldberg is a Reed College graduate with a degree focused in behavioral neuroscience and the humanities. Sana Goldberg is a nurse and a writer, and founder of the nonprofit Nightingale.

[zopbxiz]

I study nursing at the university and this is my first year. one of my teachers said that being a nurse means that you have the biggest responsibility and the most limited power. she also said that being a nurse means that you will have the chance to experience peoples happiest and most horrible times of their lives. but she hasnt regretted being a nurse herself. even if I study nursing I don't consider myself as one. you need to spend years to become one. but above all if you want to become a good nurse you need to be HUMAN first.

[youngmystery]

i been a RN for 5 months now. this is by far the most stressful job i ever had. i still feel like i know nothing. you call doctors and they dont know a thing about your patient because they got who know how many more. one night i had 5 out my 6 patients crash at once. one was bleeding from a surgery, another couldnt breath and kept taking her bipap off, another with a clog peg tube, another one a 90 year old lady vomiting and diarrhea. i took care of all these patients and made sure they lived. i knew what was wrong with them and kept going back and forth room by room. but i didnt get time to read the progress notes or all the details of the patient. i didnt get a chance to make a proper report. 5 patients crashing at once is stressful. so the doctor came and ask questions about the patient with bleeding surgery. i couldnt answer probably the family member said i was a horrible nurse and new nothing about the patient.
that ruin my day i wanted to quit right there
nursing is not easy. there are times that is rewarding but there times i wonder why i am a nurse. i do care for my patients i want to be a good nurse but there is so much that is expected from you. nursing is one of the hardest profession in the world

[dzcafe]

It took me 50 years to become a nurse - along the way I was a chemist, env. scientist and respiratory therapist - there is no time limit to be in service of something greater than yourself. To stop and listen to a person's story will help heal and diagnosis.

[RetroGamerTy]

I love your description of how people perceive nurses. As a male nurse, this is extremely looked down upon because men should be the doctors, according to my patients. If people could see what I see and experience all that I have, maybe they would understand my reasoning for choosing nursing. And the path to my degree had lots of curves I did not plan on. With all that has happened to me, I will proclaim loudly and proudly claim that "I am an nurse."

[justjacquelyn_]

As a nurse, you hear stories of the good and the bad. You hear nurses complain about the pay and how stressful the job may be. You get to work and nothing goes according to plan, no day is the same. As a nurse, one thing you must never forget is WHY you became a nurse in the first place!!!! If it was for the money, you just shot yourself in the foot. If it was because everyone else is doing it, you won’t last too long... you must truly figure out your WHY in order to last in a field as a nurse. Not only that, think about that your super power is! What makes you you? What makes you stand out from the other nurses? What do you bring to the table that no one else can offer? What about you can you leave with each and every patient you come in contact with? Nursing isn’t a job for me, nursing is a calling! I’m not pursuing it for money, nor am I pursuing it to be stress free. I am a nurse because I want to be more like Christ. I want to serve others and make a difference in the world one patient at a time. It’s a purpose in my work, in my drive, in me showing up to my floor everyday. There’s purpose in what I do, my WHY is what drives me daily and even if the day gets hard, my WHY reminds me of why I got started and it reminds me of the struggle Jesus had to endure to save a ranch like me.... so you have to figure it out and if nursing isn’t for you, don’t waste any more time, figure out what’s for you and pursue it 100%. I love nursing and I love serving others in and out of the hospital. - RN/BSN

[justinhapner]

Thank you for your enlightening talk!! I am currently a critical care nurse; however, my first degree was a BA in theatre and dance. For many years I was a Broadway performer and at that time I could have never imagined my eventual path into the field of nursing. Due to my liberal arts background, I have always envisioned myself as an outsider in the hospital setting, as I see the world and the human condition through an alternate lens compared to many of my peers. I used to believe my abilities and worth as an RN were tethered to skills like inserting Foley catheters, IVs, titrating drips, etc.... but I have since learned that my main asset is the ability to communicate with and relate to others. This is not something I was taught in nursing school, rather it was realized through years of life experience. This career has humbled me to the Nth degree and left me with a deep realization that the human experience is beyond fragile. Somedays, it is very apparent that listening and actively communicating with a patient is by far the most powerful medicine they will receive during the course of their stay.

[joeyjosern]

Nursing is not for everybody
Nursing is not a job
Maybe it is a career
But one thing I know for sure...
It is a CALLING

[zacharyilham]

I am 40 years old. Have been doing purchasing in Logistic. Currently, a student nurse in Singapore, in my second year. It is a calling for me when i choose to do nursing. I feel you Sana Goldberg. It is a fulfilling passion for me. I will not stop nursing. My wife followed my footstep and she is a nursing student now. I am proud of all for the nurses.

[roxwhit]

Thank you so much for this. I’m 51 taking my first anatomy class and trying to get to nursing school. I’m hitting every roadblock there is and at times I just want to give up. But you have given me a lot to think about.

[coconutsciencegirl]

And please let’s all acknowledge our CNA and CMAs who are the only reason most nursing facilities make I am a student nurse and if I need to know anything I go straight to the CNAs

[sandracasey]

This is one of the most moving Ted talks that I have ever watched. I feel so empowered to begin my career as a nurse in two years.

[Mustafa]

I've been a male nurse for a few months now and it has been the best decision I have ever done. Nursing is a people profession. If you don't have a deep love to care or listen to people then maybe it's not for you. Try it. Shadow a nurse and see what it's like. Nurses heal people. We do so by first physically healing, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.

[TVOCD]

I just started a nursing degree. I’m terrified but also so excited for What could be. A challenging career where you can leave the building feeling like you’ve made a difference that day

[francismausley]

My deepest thanks to all nurses... "Assist the world of humanity as much as possible. Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear." ~ The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Baha'i Faith

[yulia]

"Grand ideas are only as important as your ability to tell someone 'You are safe' or 'I am here.'" I love some of the quotes from this speech.

[aysealibadi]

I am a nursing student, It caught my attention when i saw this TED speech about a nurse. But for some reason it didn't interest me, the video is so boring. Sorry. The topic could have been better. I listened to it for 5 minutes, nothing caught my attention.

[snicolewhaley]

I have a BA and MA in Communication Studies and Humanities and decided to pursue Nursing a few years into my career in Marketing. My mother also worked in healthcare as an x-ray Technologist and I thought I would go the other direction. I can relate to every word. I am approaching my pinning from my ADN program next month and I have not regretted one second of my choice to work "with" people on the level that nurses do. Thank you for this presentation. It helped me normalize my experience in a way. You are so brave!

[pipcheerio]

I’m a high school student looking to go into nursing and I’ve never understood what people meant by saying they had a “calling” to nursing. But I am very fascinated by medicine and being able to truly care for people would be a great privilege. I would be happy to acquire the knowledge to be able to do so.

[billydolan]

Thank you so much for this video. I am currently 31 years old going back to school after not being in school not knowing what I wanted to do after high school to get my nursing degree. It feels like I've hit every bump in the road and just feels like I should give up but I know I won't because I want this so badly and seeing this video definitely gives me the motivation to keep going.

[Jgl]

It took me 10years to continue my dream to become a nurse I sacrifice and save money for my college..hopefully next year I will get my diploma.