cindyjo

I have been chosen as the speaker for our commencement speech for our pinning ceremony. I am attaching a rough draft of my speech. I would appreciate any advice or positive criticism. Thank you Welcome friends, family and loved ones. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful night with us. There are so many people that should be thanked. All of those people are not here tonight, but it seems appropriate that a few words of gratitude should be extended to them. We must thank our instructors. They have given so much of themselves. They unselfishly shared their wisdom, their mistakes, their best memories and finally, their knowledge with us. They saw the competent and caring nurse within us when we couldn't see that nurse ourselves. They nurtured our strengths and showed us how to improve our weaknesses. They didn't make it easy. Sometimes it felt as if we were being pushed beyond our limits, but we weren't. They laughed with us, cried with us and showed us compassion and understanding when we needed it. Clinicals. Oh my gosh! Clinicals. Do you remember that first week? It was smelly, back breaking, tiring, eye opening and dirty, but it was amazing! By week two, we had our favorite residents and CNA's. The fifth week found us attached to a nurse who was showing us the ropes. We thanked all of them as we left their facility. I don't think any of us realized just what each of those people did for us. The CNA's imparted their wisdom. They asked us to be kinder and better nurses. They showed us shortcuts that would have taken us years to discover on our own. There were occasions, of course, that they disappeared and left us to our own devices as call lights buzzed incessantly around us. It only made us better. Some nurses were extraordinary teachers who guided us along our individual paths. Some were conspirators who believed we really didn't need instructors. And some were there at the perfect place and time in our practice. We learned from them. We walked away with their stories, their practice and their beliefs safely filed away until we need them again. And that brings us to the most important part of clinicals: the clients. Those wonderful people, who allowed complete novices to poke, prod, stick and examine every orifice in their bodies. How unselfish and brave were they? How much do we owe them? A simple thank you on the way out of their room simply doesn't seem enough. We made it! 344 days, 49 weeks or eleven months that we believed would never pass. We walked into MTI as insecure strangers. I remember looking around the room during the entrance exam and telling myself that I belonged there. I was just as capable as anyone in that room. To this day, I am not sure that I believed it. What I did believe was that my classmates were capable of astounding feats. My classmates believed the same of me. When things were at their hardest we supported each other. I can still hear the sniffles as test scores were handed out. Quiet crying was heard a lot in Level Two. Looks of desperation and panic abounded. We watched as people gathered their things and left, never to return. It was hard. It was demanding and it has been the most satisfying year of my life. Pizza deliveries, Taco Tuesday's, an occasional marguerita when we could find time to get together socially. Accidents, injuries, births and deaths. We made it through all of it. And there is a reason for that. A final thank you has not been issued. I would like to do that now. Our lives have been on hold for those 344 days, 49 weeks or eleven months. Pick your number. Our families know those numbers well, if not better than we do. They have travelled this journey with us. They walked with us each step of the way. They calmed us when our panic set in. They talked us off the ledge when our despair was its most intense. They encouraged us when we didn't think we could read another line or memorize another word. They were our guinea pigs as we practiced our technique. We cannot thank you enough for your faith in our abilities. You showed undying loyalty and love for us. Each of you sacrificed in your own way to make sure that we attained a dream that we were striving for. Thank you so very much. My husband use to say "I'll talk to you in July, Baby." Honey, it is June 25 and we can talk about anything your heart desires.

Thank all of you for your kindness, support and cyberhugs! I can't begin to express what your responses mean to me. I can see myself in the not-too-distant future looking for this post to give myself a big boost when things get tough. I am working full time to put myself through school. I had tinkered with the idea of school loans and I must admit that my eyes were popping when I read the article about school loans. Jeez! What a mess. I am hoping that I will be able to sleep tomorrow night. I know I should begin my first day well rested, but I just don't know how I will be able to shut the excitement off. It's like waiting for Santa to come on Christmas Eve! Thanks, again. I look forward to many more posts in the future. Much luck and good fortune to all of us.

Thank you so much! Good luck to all of you, as well. What is the old saying? "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." The years just pass so quickly. This is something I have wanted to do since I was a young girl. I have taken the bull by the horns and I am holding on for dear life!

I am terrified, excited, and so very happy. I cried when I passed my entrance exam. I cried when I got my acceptance letter. It all just feels too good to be true. I am fifty-four-years-old. I don't know if I am ready for the constant studying, testing and full class load, but I will give it my best! Every time I think I am too old to go back to school I remember my aunt who helped raise me. She died at eighty-five-years-old and her only regret was that she never had the opportunity to go to nursing school. I wish I could share my joy with her now.