If you haven't seen it yet, nervousnursehopeful has a thought-provoking post about their first month in nursing school. What I've Learned in My First Month of Nursing School. Yesterday was the last day of classes in my second trimester. The post got me mulling over some of the lessons I have learned in my first 6 months. For reference, my school does trimesters, and a BSN = 9 trimesters. Here are some things I have learned so far:
1.) Studying nursing is already making me a better person. I find that I am more thoughtful in my interactions with people. I am learning how to ask real questions, how to look beyond their answers for what they are feeling. I have always considered myself to be a genuinely caring person, the type people often feel comfortable confiding in. Nursing school is showing me that I have a lot to learn. Lessons in active listening and therapeutic use of self have had a positive impact on my relationships at work, in my family, and even in my marriage. (I have a very happy marriage; still, I feel that I have more tools to love and understand my wife than ever before.)
2.) I thought I would be impatient to get through the "theory" to the "practical stuff." Instead, I am finding the theory to be enlightening and exciting as well. It amazes me how many brilliant people have thought long and hard about nursing. We stand on the shoulders of giants.
3.) NIC, NOC, and NANDA are not arbitrary and hard to understand as I originally thought. As we practice plans of care in class, I realize that they are quietly brilliant. As I practiced them in a community-health setting, I felt humbled as the pieces started coming together. Lots of very smart, caring people put a lot of time and effort they did not have to in order to make these things available to us.
4.) I can only do so much. I have to work my best, and not worry.
5.) Sometimes I have to ask for help. Pharmacology class especially. It is not easy for me to ask for help.
6.) The professors are caring people because they are nurses and they have been there. I should listen to their advice. I have had some wonderful conversations with them and have come to respect them in a way I never expected. They put up with a lot, and they keep coming back for more. It's not true that "those who can't do, teach" nursing.
7.) I enjoy interacting with clients. I thought I would feel bumbling and out of place as a student nurse. Instead, when we go to health fairs and hospitals, I find myself warming to my role. I enjoy doing the interviews, objective data, and assessment - and I'm good at it. I realize that these people are rooting for us to do a good job, and they are more patient than I ever would have expected. That morning at Walgreens when I couldn't find a brachial pulse on the 83-year-old gentleman's right arm, he gave me his left without being asked. The American lady who was having a bad day and called me a "Mexican" and criticized my English came back later to apologize and tell me she wants to take me home to her hospital. The young lady who asked lots of questions about my nursing program and told me she would pray for my success. People are wonderful and I'm not scared of what the next trimester will bring anymore, like IV insertion and Foley catheters (well . . . maybe a little).
8.) I cannot worry so much about my classmates. I can only work as hard as I can. I spent much time, especially in my first trimester, trying to boost them. But when they skip classes, don't come to labs, and make excuses about coming to the health fair, I realized slowly that they don't want a helping hand, they want someone to do the work for them. I can't let them drag me down. In a conversation with a professor a few weeks ago, they told me kindly, "You do realize that many of your classmates should not be in nursing school. If they make it through, they won't be nurses, or not for very long." That was a humbling thought - and a challenge.
I am by no means a nurse yet, but with two trimesters down and seven to go, I am looking forward with anticipation and humility. Nursing is so much more than I ever would have expected before beginning this journey. So I will be much more than I ever expected to be.
Wonderful post. I think you will do very well with that attitude and wish that I could somehow atomize it to send out electronically to the entire student fora population.
Just a suggestion, though -- consider changing your "handle" to something that isn't your real name. There will come a time when you will wish that your posts were anonymous, we promise.
Wonderful post. I think you will do very well with that attitude and wish that I could somehow atomize it to send out electronically to the entire student fora population.
Just a suggestion, though -- consider changing your "handle" to something that isn't your real name. There will come a time when you will wish that your posts were anonymous, we promise.
I too have noticed over the past couple of months there's been a bunch of people using their real names, some even signing posts like if they writing letters to their mom.
This is a PUBLIC forum people. Your current, former or future bosses could be reading your posts and a quick Google search of your name will bring it all up for them to read...not to mention other security issues as well.
Just a suggestion, though -- consider changing your "handle" to something that isn't your real name. There will come a time when you will wish that your posts were anonymous, we promise. Feb 12 by GrnTea
Thank you for your concern. Actually, "JoseQuinones" is a handle that is something like "John Doe." My real name is something quite different.
Loved your comments. It seems the "light" has turned on in your head. Also, you sound like you have a hold on critical thinking, which will carry you far in the field of nursing. Since you are so good at integrating concepts, consider research or education some time in the future. We need good thinkers!!
nurseprnRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 5,116 Posts
Wonderful post. I think you will do very well with that attitude and wish that I could somehow atomize it to send out electronically to the entire student fora population.
Just a suggestion, though -- consider changing your "handle" to something that isn't your real name. There will come a time when you will wish that your posts were anonymous, we promise.