pinning speech

Why not post what your ideas are and we'll provide constructive criticism?

okay, cool. here's what i got so far -----any criticism is much appreciated!

one thing everyone knows about me is that i like to talk. i was asked to speak because i like to talk pretty much a lot and pretty much all the time. one thing not many people know about me is that i like quotes. good quotes are sayings with a truth so strong, so resonant, that they reflect real life to me. so i look at the people around me here today and certain quotes come to mind. here's the first thing i think of

the big secret in life is that there is no big secret. whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work.

oprah winfrey

this group of people here with me today is here because they have worked hard.

the lord, our families, and our instructors know this is true. from the first test where we had to sequence the taking of a manual blood pressure in 20 easy steps, our first lab room - next to the morgue, to study groups at ihop, and everywhere else, to interviewing for jobs and finding our individual niches. we have all worked hard. it is not just the hard work we have done together. we have gone through so much together in the last 2 years. we have had babies, we had gotten engaged and married, divorced, we have lost loved ones, we have made friends.

an old japanese proverb states “when the character of a man is not clear to you, look to his friends”. i would be proud to have this group considered in my friends. i have spent the last two years with a bunch of kind, generous, intelligent, hardworking, and lovely bunch of people. we are all so different. we have different reasons for coming or returning to school, we have different goals and will be traveling different paths. but for now i am very pleased to look at our class and consider you as my friends and my teachers. i have learned more than how to be a nurse or survive a frightful critical care test where in the words of ms. j. every answer is right, i have learned about friendship.

i have been humbled by all the things i have learned, from each one of you - jillian taught me how to put on eyeshadow a little better, someone has been trying to teach me how to accept a compliment graciously, i can't say what nadina has taught me, but it has something to do with margaritas. i have learned how to argue with my friends in a loving spirit from kristin and priscilla, i've learned that pregnant women can run fast when they are late. i've learned how to pray better, molly or mrs. jordan's tests taught me that.

my wishes to you as we go into our own individual futures are to become good at what you do, enjoy what you do and enjoy your journey.

in closing, i would like to share a quote with you from st. jerome. this quote has given me comfort and faith as i have continued on my own personal journey in life and as i go forth now.

the friendship that can cease has never been real .saint jerome

I had to speak at my pinning in Sept & graduation in Oct. I think you did a very good job with your speech. It is from the heart & that's what counts.

I am copying my speech below. I don't think it's a good as yours but it too is heartfelt.

"

"It takes a special kind of person to be a nurse. Tonight I'd like to tell you about a few significant nurses in my life.

In 2003 we lost my mother to colon cancer. About 3 weeks before her death, we realized that we no longer could give her the care she required at home so she agreed to go to a nursing home. During those three weeks and especially the last few days, I watched the nurses as they cared for Mom. They even found a lighted decorated Christmas tree in May & set it up in her room because Mom kept saying the words, "Christmas tree, Christmas tree, Christmas tree" and they thought it would comfort her. How's that for being an advocate? They were compassionate, patient, skilled and knowledgeable. They were also LPNs.

Last year my sister got very sick & spent several weeks in the hospital. The actions of the nurses saved her life more than once. One nurse in particular was very impressive. I believe that if you looked up the word, "advocate" in the dictionary, her picture would be on that page. Jeanne had such severe edema that just to touch her skin was painful. While trying to diagnose her, the doctors decided they needed to rule out breast cancer and ordered a mammogram. This nurse questioned that test, explaining just how uncomfortable it would be for Jeanne. When they wouldn't change their minds, she accompanied Jeanne to radiology, made sure she received medication for her pain, sat with her, comforting her both physically & emotionally, and even physically supported her during the x-ray, exposing herself to the radiation. She too, was compassionate, patient, skilled, knowledgeable, and most definitely, an advocate. Although she was an RN, we, as LPNs can do exactly this for our patients.

Next is a group of nurses, the excellent faculty of Hamilton College. These women took a group of students and in less than a year, performed a miracle. They turned us into nurses. More than once I have gone to them for advice, for understanding, and encouragement. They are patient, compassionate, knowledgeable, skilled, and advocates. Please join me in thanking them once more with a round of applause.

Lastly, my classmates. Tonight we are nurses! Think back to those first weeks of our first term. Did you ever think we'd make it? Remember that first day we gave & received shots? We were so scared & now, we think nothing of it. How about that awful check off day in 2nd term? It was hard but we got through it and we knew our skills. We labored over our clinical paperwork, especially this term & realized just how much we learned every time we wrote it. We learned to work as a team, helping and supporting each other when necessary both in class & at our clinicals. I can't thank you enough for the help and encouragement you gave me. I'm not sure I could have made it without you. Although we still have lots to learn, we too, are compassionate, patient, knowledgeable, skilled, and advocates. We are nurses!"

--- Dixie

Thank you for your response, although I don't think I could read your speech without blubbering ike a baby - it is beautiful. I appreciate your support.

Like I said before, your speech is very good & very personal. I liked how you mentioned little inside jokes. I'm sure there is a story behind "pregnant women can run fast when they are late" and I suspect it will be cause for laughter.

One thing I had to remind myself was that there are not very many people who are willing to speak in public so the audience is very forgiving if you falter or get a bit nervous. You should be very proud to be chosen for this honor. I know I was.

Good luck. You'll do great & congratulations on your pinning & completing your training.

Dixie

Wow I thought both your speeches were great! Congratulations!

I think I would change the word bunch to group, flows better.

Thanks for the advice! It is much appreciated!

,..Ok...."Cheers, thanks to everyone who loved us, supported us, put up with the flack! We're now off to the pub, all you who fall into the groups I mentioned...please feel free to join us and CELEBRATE!!!!"

I like the way you think! U R definitely invited!