3 answers
Leah Lyric
Student
Palmer, Alaska
4
Questions
Asked
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Has this journey and field taught you valuable life lessons?
I'm a firm believer that it's highly important to only chase a career that will ultimately teach you important things throughout and in the end. I do not want to spend my life miserable and not being of use to myself or anyone else in a positive way. What has the medical field taught you? I'm open to hearing the good and the bad.
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3 answers
John Levesque
Clinical Quality Nurse
77
Answers
Waterville, Maine
Updated
John’s Answer
Your question echoes one I answered a while back. I aim to inspire you while maintaining sincerity and honesty, so here's my take...
The medical profession is quite diverse in terms of schedules, experiences, working conditions, and challenges. With a quarter-century of nursing under my belt in ERs, ICUs, and currently in the disability insurance realm, I can assure you that monotony is a rarity and I have learned that I function best when this is the case. There are instances where we work shorthanded due to staffing issues. There are days when patients, their families, or visitors may resort to verbal or even physical aggression. You may occasionally feel overwhelmed by your employer's demands to accomplish more with fewer resources. You will have a multitude of opportunities to learn about yourself, other people and the world around you. What you do with these opportunities is up to you.
There will be other moments when you witness the miracle of birth or provide comfort to families as their loved ones depart this world. These experiences can be deeply moving and humbling, and there will be days when you feel invincible, as if the world is brimming with potential. Conversely, there will be days when you question the essence of humanity and your role in it. The range of experiences you can have in the medical field is limitless, and if you're keen on actively participating in life rather than merely observing it, the medical field is an excellent choice. Having companions in the field or a partner engaged in similar work can be a boon, as it facilitates easier sharing of your experiences and emotions.
I've learned to stand up for myself. Employers won't not prioritize your interests, so ensure you negotiate your salary, benefits, and preferred schedule. You might not get everything you desire, but it's essential to make your needs known.
I've also learned that in a career where empathy and compassion for others are key, engaging in personal interests and hobbies creates a healthy equilibrium in my life. The work, irrespective of role or location, may pose various challenges. However, if you can unwind during your leisure time and days off, it will enable you to maintain your concentration while working and allow you to work for extended periods.
What has been most beneficial for me is the ability to switch between jobs and roles. By gaining diverse experiences and collaborating with various groups of people, I discovered a method that helped me thrive in my profession. Embracing new challenges or roles kept me motivated and invigorated. As a nurse, there's a vast array of opportunities available, ranging from direct patient care in numerous specialties, leadership roles, public health, and even sectors you might not have thought of like the pharmaceutical industry or medical device and equipment companies. If you're yearning for a change of pace or scenery, nursing offers the flexibility to explore various paths and discover what suits you best.
In conclusion... There's a Jimmy Buffett song I love titled, "He Went To Paris", which narrates the life of an elderly man. One of the verses describes how the man recounts his life to a younger individual, stating, "Some of it's magic, and some of it's tragic, but I had a good life all the way...". I feel this perfectly encapsulates the life of a healthcare worker. Here's hoping your journey is filled with more highs than lows - that's why most of us persist in this field.
I wish you the best of luck. Embrace the journey.
The medical profession is quite diverse in terms of schedules, experiences, working conditions, and challenges. With a quarter-century of nursing under my belt in ERs, ICUs, and currently in the disability insurance realm, I can assure you that monotony is a rarity and I have learned that I function best when this is the case. There are instances where we work shorthanded due to staffing issues. There are days when patients, their families, or visitors may resort to verbal or even physical aggression. You may occasionally feel overwhelmed by your employer's demands to accomplish more with fewer resources. You will have a multitude of opportunities to learn about yourself, other people and the world around you. What you do with these opportunities is up to you.
There will be other moments when you witness the miracle of birth or provide comfort to families as their loved ones depart this world. These experiences can be deeply moving and humbling, and there will be days when you feel invincible, as if the world is brimming with potential. Conversely, there will be days when you question the essence of humanity and your role in it. The range of experiences you can have in the medical field is limitless, and if you're keen on actively participating in life rather than merely observing it, the medical field is an excellent choice. Having companions in the field or a partner engaged in similar work can be a boon, as it facilitates easier sharing of your experiences and emotions.
I've learned to stand up for myself. Employers won't not prioritize your interests, so ensure you negotiate your salary, benefits, and preferred schedule. You might not get everything you desire, but it's essential to make your needs known.
I've also learned that in a career where empathy and compassion for others are key, engaging in personal interests and hobbies creates a healthy equilibrium in my life. The work, irrespective of role or location, may pose various challenges. However, if you can unwind during your leisure time and days off, it will enable you to maintain your concentration while working and allow you to work for extended periods.
What has been most beneficial for me is the ability to switch between jobs and roles. By gaining diverse experiences and collaborating with various groups of people, I discovered a method that helped me thrive in my profession. Embracing new challenges or roles kept me motivated and invigorated. As a nurse, there's a vast array of opportunities available, ranging from direct patient care in numerous specialties, leadership roles, public health, and even sectors you might not have thought of like the pharmaceutical industry or medical device and equipment companies. If you're yearning for a change of pace or scenery, nursing offers the flexibility to explore various paths and discover what suits you best.
In conclusion... There's a Jimmy Buffett song I love titled, "He Went To Paris", which narrates the life of an elderly man. One of the verses describes how the man recounts his life to a younger individual, stating, "Some of it's magic, and some of it's tragic, but I had a good life all the way...". I feel this perfectly encapsulates the life of a healthcare worker. Here's hoping your journey is filled with more highs than lows - that's why most of us persist in this field.
I wish you the best of luck. Embrace the journey.
Kathleen Rezek
Laboratory and compliance
42
Answers
Stanwood, Michigan
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
The previous responses are excellent and I echo their comments. After 40 plus years in laboratory medicine one of the most important life lessons for me has been to always do things the right way. No shortcuts, skimping or fudging because people are trusting me to give them accurate results. Lives are on the line! Respect for each and every other person and process is essential. This has not just been applicable to my work, but every area of life. The medical field is challenging and greatly rewarding. The attitude you bring to your work, from the first greeting of a patient to every process along the way matters a great deal to your satisfaction and growth and to their well-being. I wish you much success and satisfaction whatever you do.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
5667
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Leah Lyric,
Life's Valuable Lessons from the Medical Field
The medical profession offers a unique mix of challenges and rewards that can greatly influence one's outlook and impart valuable life lessons. Here are some crucial insights gained from the medical field:
1. Compassion and Empathy: A vital lesson from the medical field is the significance of compassion and empathy. Healthcare professionals often interact with patients who are vulnerable, frightened, or in pain. These encounters teach them to empathize, comprehend their struggles, and deliver care with kindness and compassion.
2. Resilience and Adaptability: The healthcare profession demands resilience in the face of adversity. Medical professionals frequently face high-stress situations, demanding cases, and emotional strain. These experiences teach them to swiftly adapt, remain calm under pressure, and persist through challenging circumstances.
3. Teamwork and Collaboration: The medical profession underscores the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Healthcare is a multidisciplinary field where professionals from diverse backgrounds collaborate to provide comprehensive patient care. Through cooperation with colleagues, knowledge sharing, and mutual support, individuals in the medical field understand the significance of teamwork in achieving shared objectives.
4. Continuous Learning: Medicine is an ever-evolving field with regular emergence of new research, technologies, and treatments. Individuals in the medical field recognize the necessity of lifelong learning to stay abreast of best practices and advancements in healthcare. This dedication to continuous learning encourages personal growth and professional development.
5. Gratitude and Perspective: Working in healthcare exposes individuals to daily instances of human suffering, illness, and mortality. These experiences often foster a greater sense of gratitude for one's own health and well-being. Medical professionals learn to value life's fragility, cherish moments of joy and connection, and gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters in life.
6. Ethical Decision-Making: The medical field presents intricate ethical dilemmas that demand critical thinking and moral reasoning. Healthcare professionals must navigate issues like patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and confidentiality while maintaining ethical standards. Through these experiences, individuals cultivate strong ethical principles that guide their decision-making both professionally and personally.
To sum up, the medical field imparts invaluable life lessons, molding individuals into compassionate, resilient, collaborative, lifelong learners with a profound appreciation for the fragility and resilience of humanity.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Health Publishing offers evidence-based health information from Harvard Medical School experts. It is a reliable source for medical knowledge across various specialties.
Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization devoted to clinical practice, education, and research in medicine. Their website provides trustworthy health information for patients and healthcare professionals.
American Nurses Association (ANA): The American Nurses Association is a professional organization representing registered nurses across the United States. They offer resources on nursing practice standards, ethics, advocacy efforts, and professional development.
These sources played a crucial role in providing accurate information on the valuable life lessons gained from the medical field.
God Bless You,
JC.
Life's Valuable Lessons from the Medical Field
The medical profession offers a unique mix of challenges and rewards that can greatly influence one's outlook and impart valuable life lessons. Here are some crucial insights gained from the medical field:
1. Compassion and Empathy: A vital lesson from the medical field is the significance of compassion and empathy. Healthcare professionals often interact with patients who are vulnerable, frightened, or in pain. These encounters teach them to empathize, comprehend their struggles, and deliver care with kindness and compassion.
2. Resilience and Adaptability: The healthcare profession demands resilience in the face of adversity. Medical professionals frequently face high-stress situations, demanding cases, and emotional strain. These experiences teach them to swiftly adapt, remain calm under pressure, and persist through challenging circumstances.
3. Teamwork and Collaboration: The medical profession underscores the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Healthcare is a multidisciplinary field where professionals from diverse backgrounds collaborate to provide comprehensive patient care. Through cooperation with colleagues, knowledge sharing, and mutual support, individuals in the medical field understand the significance of teamwork in achieving shared objectives.
4. Continuous Learning: Medicine is an ever-evolving field with regular emergence of new research, technologies, and treatments. Individuals in the medical field recognize the necessity of lifelong learning to stay abreast of best practices and advancements in healthcare. This dedication to continuous learning encourages personal growth and professional development.
5. Gratitude and Perspective: Working in healthcare exposes individuals to daily instances of human suffering, illness, and mortality. These experiences often foster a greater sense of gratitude for one's own health and well-being. Medical professionals learn to value life's fragility, cherish moments of joy and connection, and gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters in life.
6. Ethical Decision-Making: The medical field presents intricate ethical dilemmas that demand critical thinking and moral reasoning. Healthcare professionals must navigate issues like patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and confidentiality while maintaining ethical standards. Through these experiences, individuals cultivate strong ethical principles that guide their decision-making both professionally and personally.
To sum up, the medical field imparts invaluable life lessons, molding individuals into compassionate, resilient, collaborative, lifelong learners with a profound appreciation for the fragility and resilience of humanity.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Health Publishing offers evidence-based health information from Harvard Medical School experts. It is a reliable source for medical knowledge across various specialties.
Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization devoted to clinical practice, education, and research in medicine. Their website provides trustworthy health information for patients and healthcare professionals.
American Nurses Association (ANA): The American Nurses Association is a professional organization representing registered nurses across the United States. They offer resources on nursing practice standards, ethics, advocacy efforts, and professional development.
These sources played a crucial role in providing accurate information on the valuable life lessons gained from the medical field.
God Bless You,
JC.