The Reality Of Being A Nurse In 2026: ‘Every Day Feels Like A Win’
As Nurses Week 2026 is celebrated, nurse Raeesa Sheikh shares her experiences and insights into the challenges and rewards of being a nurse in modern healthcare. Sheikh highlights the importance of empathy and advocacy in nursing, particularly in the face of staffing shortages and technological advancements.
Nurse Raeesa Sheikh works in a Los Angeles-area trauma bay where high-tech equipment is commonplace. Despite the technology, Sheikh believes the human element is crucial in nursing. The nursing profession is facing challenges, including a global population that is older and more medically intensive, combined with a workforce facing retirements. Sheikh didn't initially plan to be a nurse; she volunteered at a hospital and discovered her passion. She now advocates for patients, creating a safe space for them. With California experiencing nursing shortages, the demand for skilled and empathetic nurses is high. Sheikh recalls a traumatic case where she comforted a patient's wife after the patient's husband died. Moments like these validate the profession for nurses. Sheikh believes that almost every day feels like a win, a sentiment she thinks many nurses can relate to.
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