In my current position at a teaching hospital, I had been asked to precept nurses with a multitude of skill levels many times before. I always enjoy the challenge. Little did I realize that this particular day would rejuvenate my enthusiasm for nursing. This is the day I met my intellectual match in Lieutenant Dan. He was motivated, extremely intelligent, inquisitive and eager to learn. Up to that day, those characteristics had seemed a faded memory for me.
Then came the day of our heartbreaking "ethical dilemma." We all know this situation well - the patient who holds on for weeks despite the constant insults of the disease process and the well-intended but taxing interventions we impose on their body. How could I shift the focus from the myriad aspects of technology and science and coach Lieutenant Dan to take on a higher-level role in nursing?
I discovered the best part about teaching is seeing the transformation - letting your student go, watching him swim and allowing yourself to follow and learn in the process. Lieutenant Dan was already ahead of me with his compassionate manner and genuine interest. Our "ethical dilemma" died while Lieutenant Dan was on shift. I wasn't working with him that day, but I have all the confidence in the world that the patient experienced a death with dignity and that the family, patient and entire room of technicians and doctors were in good hands.
Lieutenant Dan continues to serve as a reminder to me that compassion breeds content, and nursing is a well-chosen profession for us both. Finding your true calling is a precious gift. I discovered not only my call to nursing for critically ill patients, but for precepting the next generation of caring nurse professionals.
