I'm in the UK and enjoyed bedside nursing as a nurse. My first job when I qualified was in a spinal injuries unit. I then left to work on an HIV/AIDS unit, and I absolutely loved it. I was in my element, and the staff, from the doctors to the senior nurses, were the nicest people anyone would wish to meet; they were so down to earth; unlike many nurses I met as a student nurse, so were the patients. We were just one big family. I never knew that I had so much humility in me towards my patients and colleagues, and working there taught me how not to be judgemental both inside and outside of nursing. The patients were more like friends as we really got to know them because they would be admitted from time to time, so we really got to know them, and they really got to know us. They would invite us to their homes for dinner, and we would get to meet their family members. When they died, it was like losing a very dear friend, and many tears were coming from the doctors and nurses; we always had a few nurses and doctors attend the funeral. I left to return to uni to do the midwifery degree as I felt that was where I wanted to be. After qualification, I became a specialist midwife for pregnant women with sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. However, I look back fondly when I was a nurse on the HIV/AIDS unit, and I am still very close friends with the patients that I came to know whilst working there, and many of them were at my wedding last year. Sadly, some have passed away. That was the only negative to working on the unit. It was so sad when a patient of ours died. Thank you for the video. I enjoyed it very much. I wish you every happiness in your journey as a nurse.

Great video! Thanks so much :) So uplifting to hear a fellow nurse share great advice, especially regarding asking questions, I completely feel like (sadly) there is a stigma to asking questions despite everyone being exposed to differnet environments and experience. I think to ask a question and be on the safe side is better than to risk it but unfortunately we don't always feel like we have that support or courage. Also, I am glad you touched about feeling tired; physically and mentally. I get back and wonder why my back hurts haha! Sorry for this is extensive comment. Here in the UK we tend to call the nurses who don't priortise patient care as 'too posh to wash'. Love the pros, I completely agree. So much flexibility in what you can do with your degree. We come across all sorts of people whether it be staff or patients who have experienced so many different things that shaped them into the person they are today. I have only been working for 6 months. Random question, just wondering do you have any advice for the NCLEX?

The shift work is tough but weirdly I prefer doing 3/4 13 hour days and having the other days off as opposed to Mon-Fri ❤

Hello Ashley, I saw that you first worked in orthopedic surgery before going to the operating room. Have you always wanted to work in the operating room? Is this your calling or do you just love orthopedics no matter where you work? See you soon!