What led you to your profession as a caregiver, and specifically in the field of medicine?
I think the answer to this question is actually more complex than I can express. I know that initially, when I was much younger, I started out in the " helping professions" because I had a sense of curiosity about people and their lives and because I felt that I wanted to help in some way. I was also motivated by what I saw as intolerance of or lack of respect for various populations in our society. I knew that I was not the person to work for social change on a large scale, so I decided on a career where I could help individuals in small ways on a daily basis. I started out in the mental health field and then moved to the medical field because I was frustrated by working in the under-funded community mental health field....I felt like my hands were tied, like I couldn't really help. I was too unhappy with the situation to stay, so I became an RN, where I CAN help.
What have you learned about humanity and society through your experiences as a nurse?
I am a nurse in a hospital in the four-corners region of the Southwest, and at a Planned Parenthood clinic in the same region. I have realized that the things I see and deal with on a daily basis are shocking to many people, and seem unreal to them. I have learned that most of us in this society haven't been taught to deal with death, loss, transition. I have learned that many of us are able to ignore some of the grittier or dirtier parts of life, even though those parts are very real. I now know that I am happy to be there with people through these times...that I am privileged to be present for the very human experiences of fear, anger, hope, healing, eating and shitting and puking and bleeding and dying.
I have also learned that being a nurse is not glamorous in any way...but that I feel really connected to others when I am taking care of their very basic needs. I have learned that judgment is not helpful and that when we are sick and vulnerable, we are all the same, and we all deserve help. This is some of what I have learned, and it has made me more compassionate. I have also seen some shit that has led me to believe that many more of us need some lessons in humility and compassion.
Why do you feel that your work at Planned Parenthood is important?
I think it is the right thing to do for women and for society to help provide abortions. The whole idea of Planned Parenthood is to empower people by providing them with choices for their reproductive health. We see women in many different circumstances, but they have all made the choice to terminate their pregnancy, and we are there to help them with that in the most non-judgmental way possible. I have zero qualms about providing abortions. The women who come to us have made a hard decision and I do not question that. Also, abortion has been legal and safe in this country for many years, so women should be able to access it.
