From vocation to experience: interview with María de la Puente, former student of the School Nursing

Some vocations cannot be explained: they are simply felt. This is how María de la Puente describes her decision to study nursing, a choice she was clear high school diploma since high school diploma which has led her to build a professional career always linked to patient care. While studying, in the 2008/09 academic year, she was already working in the diet service at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CUN), an experience that would shape her professional path. After graduating in 2009, she continued her training with enthusiasm: in 2010, she took the program to obtain Degree while also beginning a specialization program pediatrics. A year later, she specialized in surgical medicine, and upon completion, she returned to CUN Madrid to contribute her experience in hospitalization.

Her career is not limited to the clinic: she also had the opportunity to accompany a terminal patient at home, an experience that reinforced her understanding of human fragility and resilience. Since 2014, he has been working at CUN Madrid, currently in the Digestive – Endoscopy and Outpatient Procedures – department, and is part of the Pain Unit team. His vision is clear: "Being close to illness financial aid you financial aid appreciate everything much more. Although it is a vocation of service, it is also very rewarding."

- Do you remember the moment when you first thought, "I want to be a nurse"?
- Yes, I remember. high school diploma was in high school diploma I had to choose degree program. It wasn't related to any particular event that had an impact on me. There isn't even anyone in my family who works in healthcare who could have been a role model for me. I just felt that it was my calling. My fear at the time was that I wouldn't have average get into nursing school because, for me, there was no other degree program . I never doubted that this was where I wanted to be.

-Who is a teacher who had a significant impact on you, and why?
- Ana Irujo. She was my Anatomy teacher. She was very passionate teaching and also had a great sense of humor. In her classes, you learned and enjoyed yourself at the same time, and keeping students' attention in such theoretical classes is not easy. To this day, I still remember anecdotes about her.

- What do you like to do when you take off your lab coat?
- What I like most is painting. When I was little, I started with pencil drawings, then oil paintings, and for the last couple of years I've been into watercolors. I signed up for painting classes at the university during my degree program, which forced me to set aside some time each week for my hobby. I also really enjoy movies and music. During my degree program part of group university group and participated in several musicals. It was a time I remember fondly. I think it's clear what my second calling would be if I ever had to leave nursing.

- A book, series, or podcast you recommend?
- I love mystery novels. They entertain me the most, and I could name many. But if I had to recommend one book, it would be "La sombra del padre" ( subject the Father), which is another subject . It's a book that has had a big impact on me. sample life of the Holy Family from the perspective of Saint Joseph, showing his more human side, with his fears, his insecurities, and his loving heart. For me, it became a reference point for human love.

- A place you always like to return to?
- To Rota, in Cádiz. I've spent my whole life vacationing there, always with my family, which is what I enjoy most. I have seven siblings, and summer is when we all get together, now including my nieces and nephews.

- If your vocation for nursing were a song, what would it be?
- "Color esperanza" by Diego Torres.