Amber Ward

The best career advice I ever received came from my best friend, Amanda Watson: “Go to nursing school, get through nursing school, and then forget nursing school.” Her point was that nursing education often presents situations in black-and-white terms, while working in a hospital requires nurses to navigate a great deal of complexity and gray areas. Nursing school provides the essential knowledge and clinical skills, but becoming an effective nurse requires developing your own judgment, routines, confidence, and approach to patient care. I learned that I should not allow the way nursing was taught in school to define the kind of nurse I would become. Instead, I needed to discover who I was as a nurse, understand the role I wanted to play, and develop my own professional identity through experience.

My advice to young women entering healthcare is to make sure you are truly prepared for the demands of the profession and, whenever possible, start at an entry-level position that allows you to gain firsthand experience. I began my career as a healthcare technician, and that experience was invaluable because it gave me a realistic understanding of the environment before I entered nursing school. Starting at that level allowed me to see the bigger picture, develop confidence, and determine whether nursing was truly the right path for me. Gaining that perspective before making a long-term commitment can better prepare women for the realities of healthcare and help them enter the profession with greater knowledge, confidence, and a clear understanding of their role.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is caring for patients who cannot speak for themselves and ensuring that their needs are understood and addressed. As nurses, we have a responsibility to advocate for our patients, communicate with their families, and make sure parents and caregivers receive the education and resources they need to provide appropriate care. Recently, I have encountered an increasing number of cases involving the Department of Social Services and suspected child abuse, which can be emotionally and mentally challenging. At the same time, these situations present a meaningful opportunity to make an immediate and lasting difference. Being able to provide a child with a sense of safety, compassion, and reassurance during an incredibly difficult moment can be life-changing and reminds me of the profound impact nurses can have on their patients.

Integrity is one of the most important values in both my professional and personal life. In a world where information can be easily distorted through social media and online platforms, I believe in speaking truthfully, remaining authentic, and staying grounded in my values. Resilience and perseverance are equally important, especially in nursing, where I may spend a 12-hour night shift continuously critically thinking while caring for multiple patients and navigating challenging situations. Being a hard worker, remaining dedicated, and persevering through difficult moments are essential parts of my role. Above all, my faith is deeply important to me. God plays a significant role in my life and in my nursing practice, particularly because working in healthcare means witnessing moments of both life and death and recognizing the profound responsibility of caring for others during those experiences.