Interview Question: Why Do You Find Nursing Rewarding?

Here are some sample answers to the nurse interview question "What do you find most
rewarding about being a nurse?"
 The most rewarding thing for me as a nurse is seeing the joy when a family first
holds their baby. The first volunteer job I had, back in high school, was helping in
the maternity ward at the hospital in my hometown. The very first time I saw a
new mother with her baby, I knew that I wanted to go into nursing in order to
share this special time with families. Over my years as a maternity nurse, I have
seen many heartbreaking times as well, and being able to help those families
cope with loss has been very difficult, but also rewarding.
 
 As an Emergency Room nurse, one of the primary jobs that I have, following
helping the on call doctor to treat patients, is interacting with the patients and
their families. Often, the families need to wait for a diagnosis, and they look to the
nurse for explanations and messages from the doctor. I find it very rewarding to
be able to help the patients as well as their families to be calm and well prepared
for when the doctor is able to speak with them.
 
 I find helping patients through recovery after surgery, which is often one of their
greatest challenges, to be most rewarding. Many times, no matter how well
educated the patient is, and how well prepared they are for what to expect during
recovery, the reality of their post-surgical rehabilitation is overwhelming. I once
worked with a patient after knee surgery who had some complications, which
resulted in the need for an extended hospital stay, and much more physical
therapy than she had been prepared for. I was concerned about her mental state,
and recommended that she speak with our social worker. After she had been
released, she sent me a very nice note, thanking me for putting her in touch with
the social worker, and letting me know that it had a positive impact on her
recovery.
 
 I love working with children, and the most rewarding part of being a pediatric
nurse is watching how they process their illnesses and injuries, and how willing
they are to take charge of their recovery. I remember one young patient who had
been given a difficult diagnosis, and she had a lot of questions about her
treatment. Her fantastic attitude, and the support of her parents, I’m sure
contributed to her remission. I learned so much from that little girl, and I believe
that I have been able to help other children better for having known her.