and anti-racism, Professional identity few weeks ago, my colleague told me about this invitation to write about the concept of purpose in healthcare.I ignored it at first -too many tasks, too little time.But even as I moved on with my days, the question lingered quietly in the back of my mind.What would I write if I let myself pause long enough to answer?I didn't open a blank document right away.Still, the story began anyway, unfolding softly.And today, I find myself ready to start.I'm inviting you into that story -the one that's been forming, slowly and unexpectedly, since the moment I chose not to respond.I am a nurse and currently a Faculty Lecturer at a school of nursing.Reflecting on my professional life, I realize that a consistent pursuit of purpose has shaped it.Whether at the bedside, in the community, or classrooms, my actions are guided by a clear sense (or need) for meaning and contribution.My most recent full-time clinical role was at a community health center.I was doing home visits for families welcoming a baby into their lives.Despite the struggles and hardships of life, it was generally a setting filled with great joy.It was in that role -entering people's homes, holding space for their stories, and walking alongside them through significant life transitions -that my understanding of purpose deepened.These experiences weren't just clinical duties; they were human moments that reaffirmed why I chose this profession in the first place.
Anne-Laurie Beaubrun (Fri,) studied this question.