I teach in an undergraduate nursing program while also working as an RN and as a student in a PhD program. Nursing students give me hope for our beautiful profession. I write an email to each group after we finish our time together. I want to share my latest email with nursing students because I don't think as students, each realize what an impact they have as a group and as individuals during their clinical experience. Nursing students are the best and they give hope for the future of this beautiful profession.
"I want to reiterate what a pleasure it was to have all of you in clinical... individually and as a group. I also enjoyed having one-on-one time with each of you during evaluations. Throughout the semester, I saw how you each contributed to a group. Getting to know you as individuals gave me the opportunity to see your uniqueness and specialness and the reasons why you work so well in a group.
I hope you understand why I think each one of you is special. Be who you are as you go out into the nursing profession with your head held high. Never compromise the essence of who you are or your core values. Never follow the crowd that does not have these core values and never apologize for who you are and what this brings to this profession, the patients, their families and the community.
As stated, this is the most wonderful and beautiful profession, but it is not for the faint at heart. It is for those who have the desire to learn about themselves and how our communication skills are the greatest tool in making a difference. It is for those who have the ability to reflect on how we will do things differently when in a similar situation (It is about doing the best we can with the knowledge and experience we have... not about beating ourselves up about what we didn't do). It is about wanting to learn and research and ask questions to foster best care for the lives we enter as nurses. It is about finding our support system and our go-to people who will never leave us in the wind.
My job as a clinical instructor validates my decision to become a nurse each semester I work with nursing students at XYZ. It puts me in a place of hope, enthusiasm, idealism with realism and an understanding that awesome people are going to be my collegues. It makes me feel as though great things are going to come because of the people entering this profession. In my world, looking back instead of looking forward is my way of knowing that this profession is going to make unbelievably wonderful strides because of those entering the profession.
I do have your back and will always support you. If there is anything you need... recommendation letter, advice or an ear to listen... I am here for you. I am an email or phone call away... no matter how long it has been since there has been contact. The good ones need to stick together.
I wish you all the best. You have all affected me in the most positive way."
Nursing students: realize that you not only positively impact patients, families and communities, but those that teach you. Take from each instructor their passion and develop your own philosophy on what nursing means to you.
You make a difference while in the role of student.
Scorpio_RN_BSN - I sense that you come from the generation where technology has always been part of your life... :) There are positives and challenges in every generation. I had a clinical group that appeared fixated on technology. It was good because information was at the tip of their fingers, but a challenges because my impression for a moment was that it was the priority.
Communication is always key. There was an incident where an elderly person came to our group. He was talking and telling his story. Some students did not lift their head from their computer or phone. After he left, I started a discussion on the importance of being engaged in our interactions with patients.
These students were not intentionally rude or with lack of care. Their way was a response to how the world is changing and is different. They were not immune to thought or a discussion. After our discussion, they were aware of the importance of when it is necessary to put technology aside and put that into their practice. They were awesome students and now are awesome nurses!
Each generation can learn from another. Students and new nurses teach me how to better my practice and I can teach them...
I want to express a heartfelt thank you for the posting and sharing of and comments about To Nursing Students from a Clinical Instructor. I rarely post on nursing blogs. However, after my last day with a group of students who are exceptional people and are in their last semester of nursing school, I began to think about the challenges of nursing school. I thought about how those challenges are the start of many challenges within this profession. I then wrote the post on allnurses.com.
Nursing is a tough job, even with all of its beauty. I wanted to contribute positive words to those entering the profession about strength and hope when there are feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness and the question of why the choice to become a nurse arise within their career.
While I work at the bedside, my role as a clinical instructor fosters my ability to stay grounded and passionate about the nursing profession. I surround myself with like-minded people who also feel this passion and have a great desire to be kind, inclusive and willing to share knowledge and ask questions. These confidents are bedside nurses, nurse practitioners, educators, doctors, PCTs, social workers and others within the healthcare system.
As stated, the good ones have to stick together... positive change needs to have a collaborative approach!
Keep going, Bikerbabe13- this is a challenging road, but a worthwhile road... never allow another to change who you are or make you turn your back on this profession. You mean something to this profession and have the capacity to do great things! Best of luck...
smf0903- I pull out positive reinforcement from all of my wonderful mentors. Many times, they are words from the past, but they are words that hold meaning...
Nursecris0810- A perfect example of a friend and colleague who gives hope and passion to this profession. An example of the importance of the good nurses sticking together. The nurses who have similar philosophies and the nurses who befriend each other not because they are nurses, but because they have love and kindness in their heart.
Cris is the example of the friend that every nurse needs and that every nurse will find if they choose to be who they are and not what the masses are. To each new nurse, find your friend who happens to be a nurse because they think just as you do... and if they don't, you have the reason to respectfully and thoughtfully talk about why there is a difference in opinion.
Finding these friends is part of the beauty of nursing and life outside of nursing...
I am a fresh nursing student , and fresh meaning I start in Jan! This post has really calmed my nerves, makes me feel confident and thankful that I aam choosing nursing as my career path. THANK YOU so much for your encouraging words. If anyone has any advice for me before I go into nursing school feel free . I'm slightly a nervous wreck but I am all ears. I am very thankful ffor instructors like you who absolutely love their jobs and are willing to openly help others .
aminnigan- As hard as it is, try to stay calm. Sit front and center in class. Ask lots of questions... read about and reflect on your experiences. Find great mentors and fellow nursing students that have the same passion for this profession that you have and are fostering through education.
This is a challenging profession. But, it a profession for those with a great mind and heart. Stay strong and work through obstacles. Do not let any person, nurse or non-nurse, tear you down or make you feel less capable than you are in entering this profession and making a difference within it.
My best advice is to gravitate toward beautiful people and find your support system. I have been a nurse for almost twelve years. During trials and tribulations, it is those that love and support me and understand my passion that help me through the bumps in my journey. Many of those people are nurses that I have met along the way and are now not only fellow nurses, but friends...
There are lots of us, Anurse2bee! We are not needles in a haystack. However, we come with all different personalities. Some of us have harsh exteriors but will always have your back; some of us are warm and fuzzy. Some of us are blunt and some are more reserved. Some of us are outgoing and some of us are more quiet.
Our connection to each other is that we are kind and want success and growth for the nurses that surround us. We are willing to teach and learn and collaborate for the good of our patients and their families and the growth of each nurse and our profession. We are honest with each other and will not turn our back on another nurse. We will not engage in bullying behaviors and we will not follow a crowd that does not take on a similar philosophy to what nursing means to us. Even when it is the easier route.
Stay strong and do your nursing thing with passion and without compromise to why you joined this profession.
Can'tdragmeaway
28 Posts
Scorpio_RN_BSN - I sense that you come from the generation where technology has always been part of your life... :) There are positives and challenges in every generation. I had a clinical group that appeared fixated on technology. It was good because information was at the tip of their fingers, but a challenges because my impression for a moment was that it was the priority.
Communication is always key. There was an incident where an elderly person came to our group. He was talking and telling his story. Some students did not lift their head from their computer or phone. After he left, I started a discussion on the importance of being engaged in our interactions with patients.
These students were not intentionally rude or with lack of care. Their way was a response to how the world is changing and is different. They were not immune to thought or a discussion. After our discussion, they were aware of the importance of when it is necessary to put technology aside and put that into their practice. They were awesome students and now are awesome nurses!
Each generation can learn from another. Students and new nurses teach me how to better my practice and I can teach them...