An Interview with My Mom

 

This poster is on display at my mom's place of work - the quote on it is from a patient

For as long as I can remember, my mom has been a nurse. In reality, she's been a nurse for my entire life. When my younger sister was in kindergarten she went back to work, and she's worked ever since. At first, I thought I'd much rather have a mom who was a doctor -- it seemed that there was no glory in nursing.

Gradually, over the years, it's become clear to me that my mom could be nothing other than a nurse. It's what she is -- as corny as it sounds, it's what she was called to do. I was delighted to have the opportunity to interview my mom on behalf of Capella University and their Master's program -- and even happier that I get to share a bit of my mom with you!

What is your job title? Clinical assistant

What made you decide to pursue the field of nursing? I was 12 years old when my grandmother fell and broke her hip. I helped my aunt with her during the summer after she fell. One of the neighbors was a nurse who came by now and then to check on grandma. I decided that I also wanted to be a nurse and never changed my mind.

What degrees do you hold? Registered Nurse; Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing, minor in biology; Masters of Arts in Transpersonal Studies and certification in Orthopaedics and Ambulatory Care.

Can you perform in your field with less education? Yes, you can but most places now want nurses with at least a Bachelor's degree.

Did you find it difficult to be a woman in your field? No, as nursing is a traditional role for women.

Did you find it difficult to be a mother in your field? I would have if I had not taken time off from work until my children were all in school. My husband was military and to pay for child care even part time, and gas and extra expenses would have taken all my salary so I was a stay at home mother for 10 years. As long as I worked part time after that, I could arrange appointments around my schedule. I did have difficulties when someone was sick because of the need to find child care.

Have you utilized your mothering in your nursing or your nursing in your mothering more? I think itís a toss-up which I have used more. My children would bring everyone who was hurt to my door and tell them I would take care of their problem. I worked many years at Girl Scout Day Camp as a nurse and my children were involved in camp, also. None of my daughters were the least bit interested in nursing and in fact, never wanted me to talk about what I did ... I worked nights for 20 years and during the night, patients often need to talk, need someone who has time to listen. Now I work with young corpsmen in the Navy and young doctors and residents who always seem to need a mother or sister or den mother.

Has having a job in the field of healthcare made a difference in your life? YES, it gave me a life! At the time I graduated high school, girls were limited in what they could do and growing up in southern Missouri, I had no strong female role models who encouraged me to continue my education.

Would you recommend that others in your profession earn their Master's degrees? I would if they want to go into management or a supervisory position. More and more nursing positions are becoming available for nurses with advanced degrees. I earned my Master's in Transpersonal Studies because this was something that interested me. It has certainly increased my confidence in myself and my ability to do my job.

Share some of your favorite personal experiences: Nursing is one of those professions where you work hard day in and day out (or in my personal experience, night in, night out) and sometimes you wonder am I doing any good here at all? Am I making a difference or am I just marking time? Then I get a card or a letter of appreciation from one of our patients and I can see that for that person I did make a difference.

I am an Orthopaedic nurse, taking care of mostly hip and knee replacements; I worked over twenty years on an Orthopaedic ward in a hospital and working nights I would frequently be able to spend a little more time than the day shift nurses when patients wanted to talk. Pain is always worse at night and to be able to have time to listen was important to me. Now I work days and I do pre-op teaching to prepare our patients for surgery. Many days it feels like that I am spinning my wheels, that no one is listening, then I get a letter that says this: I'm not sure how to say thank you to an awesome group of people who were just doing their job -  however I want to try. Nurse Sue for making the paperwork streamlined and easy to understand, I'm grateful.

Or this letter: I wanted to personally thank you for all your assistance during my recent hip replacement surgery ... you care about people, you make the process work and you get things done! All characteristics of a true Professional!

And one last one: We believe that anyone who knows you can tell from your warmth and
understanding that you sincerely care about their well being. This is what has kept me in nursing for over forty years and I have no plans for retirement at this time. This is how I give back to society.

L Sue Aten MA BS RNC ONC

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Comments

[shannon Smith]

beautiful

[Heather]

Your mom sounds cool. And Navy medicine is awesome -- the number one thing I miss about military life!

[Becki]

I love nurses, having recently had a five-day inpatient stint that they made bearable. Your mom rocks!

[Jennifer Romans]

Grandpa would always tell me the story of you going to college to be a nurse and how you paid for it yourself.How proud he was of you for never wavering about what you were going to do. Im so proud you are my mom.Carmen you did a wonderful interview,it was beautifully written.

[Liz]

What a fabulous story, Carmen. I always manage to learn something new and wonderful, thanks to my blogging friends. We have a very close friend of the family who is suffering from lung problems, thanks for the chance to help donate to such a wonderful cause as the American Lung Association!

[KatieButler]

Very inspiring! Also very interesting to specifics about her career.

Although I am not currently working in the field of special education, my education has allowed me to be a support and resource to friends with children with developmental issues.

I have found my background especially useful in developing creative strategies for the children with ADHD who have been students in the religious education classes that I have taught over the past ten years.

[carly g]

My sister is a pediatric nurse for the Children's Hospital & Research Center in Oakland. She loves it! I have a lot of respect for people, like nurses, who give so much to care for others.

[Rose Jory]

Your mother is warm and caring lady, she was meant to be a nurse.

[Steph]

What a great interview & role model for you & your kids!

[Cori]

My mother went back to school when I was 12 years old with an 8 year old and a 3 year old. She became a teacher after graduating summa cum laude and went on to hold two masters degrees before retiring early to travel with her husband. When my dad left us, we would have lived in poverty if it hadn't been for her education and the job opportunities that gave her.

[amie]

Wow, what a great opportunity to share your wonderful mom with us. She sounds like a smart and loving lady, like mother like daughter !

[Kristen Carannante]

My mom was a nurse and her best friends were all nurses, too. I believe some people are just born to be nurses. They are loving, generous and giving. What a special profession!

[Karen]

My college experience was beneficial to me, not necessarily in the education sense, but more in the social sense. I majored in theatrical lighting design and never really did much with my degree, but the friendships I had throughout that experience have lasted 15+ years. I would be lost without my "tribe"!

[KG]

Education improved my life because I met my awesome husband and best friend in school! :)

[JMB]

What a great interview! Two things struck me - 1. That nursing is indeed a vocation, or a calling. And, that your mother found her calling at the age of 12. I think those early teen/tween years are so important for both boys and girls to figure out what they want to do. So many people that I speak to that are happy with their vocations or careers say that they knew that they wanted to be X when they were around the age of 12 or 13.

[mary thomas lawson]

i am so proud of you and that your my cousin you have helped so many in your life, and i know it is not a easy job as have have done some myself. and your joy in life with your friend and travel just want to say thank you

[Beth]

My mom, sister and sister in law are nurses too. Thank goodness for these fine professionals!

[Ashley romans]

That is wonderful! ;)

[Melanie]

I'm grateful for the doors that were opened to me just because I earned a bachelor's degree! Your mom sounds awesome :)

[addy]

There is so much to be said for higher education. It is truly becoming a must in our current society. The opportunities and benefits are ednless. The interview with your mother is fantastic. You must be very proud to be her daughter.

[maggie]

My mom is a nurse, too! She's been retired for about 5 years now. She was one of the best and it sounds like your mom is not too shabby! I think it's important to further your education, whether it be a class here or there or for earning a degree.

[Rox]

What a great tribute to someone who was obviously a great mom to have raised such a great daughter who is also a great mom ... and to learn about her "other" life is pretty cool! As someone who has benefited from the American Lung Association (as I live with multiple lung diseases), I am grateful to you, to your mom, and to BlogHer for making this opportunity available to raise funds for their important work. May you all be richly blessed this holiday season!

[Kyooty]

My Mom is also a nurse. My sister is working through her ?Nursing Degree at a Canadian Uni

[Wendy]

Nurses definitely do not get the recognition they deserve. I think it is one of the hardest jobs in the world, and I've never been a nurse.

[Mary Copeland]

How awesome- Your mom is! A person who takes pride in their career