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Specializes in NICU.

WARNING: SHORT NOVEL AHEAD: ;)

Hi,

I've been reading this forum for quite some time, but just signed up tonight. I just felt like sharing my experience with everyone that I had today.

I never really thought I wanted to be a nurse when I was younger. I never was one of those people that "just knew" I wanted to be a nurse. As it was, I thought I knew I didn't want to be a nurse. I didn't know "what I wanted to be when I grew up", but always thought it was business related. I have always worked in some form of business. Then, I started thinking about it, and all in all it made a lot of sense to me. I liked the different possible opportunities and shift options. I started to see the "benefits" and thought, hey, I can do this. . .Not that I didn't like the idea of helping people and all the altruistic ideas, I just wasn't sold by those. Everyone I knew, family and friends, said they could see me as a nurse, because I was caring, but I didn't feel that way. For some reason, when I was younger, I thought I wanted to be an accountant. I wanted to work "by myself". Well, after thinking of joining nursing school from a conscience decision as a move that would reap great benefits (and now looking back I was always unconsciously drawn to this career because I do really enjoy helping people) I have honestly found my niche.

I am in my third semester of a seven semester part time program (I have to work full time during the week for a bank and do school nights and weekends). I had my first clinicals last semester. I have Maternal and Child nursing this semester and honestly, have had the best time ever this semester. I never would be identified as the "soft, ooey gooey type" and have always been pretty straight forward and surely didn't think OB type nursing would be for me. I do not have kids, never really been around kids.

I had the opportunity to observe in the NICU last clinical and had the BEST TIME! I loved the little premies and was not scared of them or anything like I was afraid I would be. I had the chance to do vitals, feed, and change them. I got to see the NNP in action and it gave me confidence to know I could handle that atmosphere and I really enjoyed it. I have thought of becoming an NNP, but wasn't sure. Now, I know I could. AND I loved it!

This week I had the opportunity to work on the labor and delivery floor. My patient was a first time mother that was in active labor, but wasn't expected to deliver until after our clinical would be over. I was prepared to just wait and see all day, however I was pulled into another patient's Emergency C Section! I was in full amazement today of what nurses really get to do. I was able to "assist" in the smallest, student-y, trying-to-help, way and the nurses and doctors never made me feel in the way. I felt like an important part of the surgery, even though looking back I wasn't really, but it was an awesome experience. While I am still enamored by the NICU nurses that came to the delivery, I think I did find out today that Labor and Delivery isn't for me, but I did have the best time while I was there today. I have a great respect for the nurses that go from "wow,not much going on today to OMG! WE HAVE TO GET THIS LADY AND BABY TO SURGERY STAT!" It was amazing - the nurses and doctors were amazing and worked together perfectly to get the baby out as soon as possible. I loved the NICU nurses that came down to take care of the baby and it was just amazing.

Not to be cheesy, but this IS really what it's all about. That mom got to go back to her family WITH her newborn baby as a family, and even though it wasn't their birthing plan, they all did great! It was a happy ending today, thank goodness, and it was great. The family had to deal with a small disruption with their plan, but they are all going to live to tell about it and be able to talk about it together. This day was a happy day.

I am very excited to see what the rest of my nursing school career holds and can't wait for the challenges. BRING IT ON!

I am more motivated than ever and hope next semester is just as awesome as this one has been. Good Luck all my nursing school buddies and remember you make a difference to the patients everyday...even when you don't see it or they don't get to thank you. You do.

I never got to see that patient from today after it was all over, and she'll never know how many people hauled A$$ to get her and her baby safe and that was #1 on all our lists, but we'll know that really...this IS what it's all about. This is why we put ourselves through the sleepless and stressful semesters. To help people. As cheesy as it is...I LOVE IT!

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I can't wait to start my program!!! Your post just gets me excited, I can't wait for school to start!!!

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Specializes in NICU.
I can't wait to start my program!!! Your post just gets me excited, I can't wait for school to start!!!

There really is nothing like it. I'm honestly in a daze - so much going on at once, but it's been SUPER!

When do you start?

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T-29 days, August 22 :D:yeah:

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Specializes in NICU.
T-29 days, August 22 :D:yeah:

CONGRATULATIONS!! It's awesome! :yeah:

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superb post to read. I"m happy for you and I hope that my interactions in nursing school will be just as positive. (my biggest fear is somebody dying on me.) Thanks for sharing your own journey.

sandanrn

my journey begins Aug 15th and I'm doing CNA clinicals now

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

I'm still wating for my "eureka" moment, as to which feild i'm drawn to. Going into year 3 of 4... yikes!

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