Advice for Myself for When I Was a Nursing Student
If only I knew then what I knew now. Like many nurses, I received a lot of good and bad advice over the years. At the time, I didn’t know the difference. If I could go back to my nursing student self and offer some advice, perhaps I could save myself unnecessary worries—and I might’ve taken a few different paths on my career journey.
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I've been a nurse for a long time. Long enough to look back, reflect over my career, and consider the choices I made and the paths I followed. If I could go back in the day and talk to myself when I was a nursing student I might share a little advice.
In general I might say
Doctors are just people. They don't know everything and they aren't scary-well, usually not.
No, midnight shift never gets easier
Yes, psychiatric nursing is a real, valuable nursing skill. Ignore anyone who tells you otherwise.
Yes-that nursing cap does look stupid, but you'll cherish it later. You still won't want to wear it, but you will proudly show it off.
Take Your Time
Don't rush through nursing school. Taking as many credits as possible while working part-time, and taking summer classes may allow you to finish school much quicker, but you'll miss out on much more. That heavy schedule prohibits you from allowing yourself to be a college student. Slow down, and enjoy the journey more. Stop only focusing on the destination because you have years to work. Take those extra classes that you might enjoy just for the benefit of learning. Make the most of this time.
Speak Up
You may not have access to online nursing networks that are available today like allnurses, but don't treat advice like facts, instead realize they are just one person's opinion. Speak up, ask questions. Maybe you really don't know what you're doing yet. You're not supposed to. You're a student, but you already know more than you realize. This is the time to embrace your curiosity and learn as much as you can. Most seasoned nurses love to share their expertise with an eager, interested student.
Stop Worrying
You know all those hours, days and who knows how much time you spend worrying? It doesn't change the outcome. Worry does nothing but cause extra stress. Use that time you spend worrying about tomorrow to enjoy today. Ignore the, "What if..." and tell yourself, "I don't care", or "It doesn't matter." Even if you do care, and it does matter, because all you can do is do your best and things will turn out fine. You won't even remember most of the things you wasted time worrying about, because they weren't worth the space in your memories.
Consider the Big Picture
Don't make all your decisions based on how they fit in your current schedule. You're going to be a nurse for a long time. What might not look like a useful class, skill, or a viable option now, might serve as a building block for expanding your future career options. (P.S. Don't back out of starting your doctorate once you do all the preparation. Put your needs in front of everyone else's occasionally.) You won't just have one job. Each will provide skills and experiences to take with you to make you into the nurse you are in 2018.
There Are Options
You may have starting nursing school when there was a nursing shortage, and it seemed like the next logical career step. When you finish school the nursing shortage will be over, and jobs will be few and far in between. Believe that older nurse who tells you that the nursing shortage repeats in cycles. Don't cling to whatever job you can get like it's your last.
Don't Stop Looking and Learning
Even after you're at a job for a long time, there are still options and ways to get out of "doing things the way you always have." Once you do you'll realize you can use your nursing degree for much more than you realized. There are endless options. If you delve more into researching nursing articles, and making connections, then more opportunities might present themselves sooner. It doesn't have to be an either, or, choice. You take your nursing knowledge with you in whatever you do.
Make Your Own Path
Over the years, you'll come to believe that a nursing degree is more versatile than others and provides more opportunities. Those nurses you're going to school with will go on to use their degree in different capacities. Some will come full-circle once they find what they enjoy. Others will keep spreading their wings.
Who knows If you'll listen to what I say- they say we often don't heed our own advice. Although perhaps I can start listening a little more to my heart and my head today, that way I can continue to carve my best career path for tomorrow.
If You Could Return to Back in the Day, What Advice Would You Give Your Nursing Student Self?
