Nursing is not a ‘vocation’ – we studied long and hard

I AM a nurse and have been for a long time. I believe I have an amazing job which I wholeheartedly love and I couldn’t do anything else.

I have met some of the bravest and strongest children and families in my line of work. I have also made wonderful life-long friends who I adore.

I have missed Christmases and birthdays, nights-out and friendly catch-ups, all because of my job.

But I do it because I love it. I have very often put my son to bed and cuddled him knowing I wouldn’t see him for three days.

My job has made me cry tears of pure laughter and joy but also the saddest of tears. I will never want to change my job – it’s who I am.

I believe my job is not a vocation. It’s a highly skilled profession, one I went to college for and studied hard to gain my qualifications.

Tomorrow I will leave my two boys and join the picket once again to stand up for me, for my colleagues and future nurses and midwives of this country. Róisín Farrelly

Tallaght, Dublin