Why Nursing?
Originally Posted Thursday, March 15, 2007 1:51 PM
Hello Friends,
It has been a very busy couple of months and now that the Medical Surgical clinical rotation is over we are moving into the next rotation, (Pediatrics). We have been immersed in the JHUSON relentless academic marathon and in a few short months (4), the student journey ends and a new path is blazed as new nursing grads, and licensure examinations. Personally, the nursing school experience has been quite the adventure, yet rewarding on many levels. Another student asked me the other day if I would go through nursing school again, my first reaction to her inquiry was to question her on the type of medications she was taking and if any adverse side effects such as, “delirium” was being experienced.
I compare the nursing school experience to military boot camp or similar academy/educational type programs. This process is demanding, emotionally, physically and mentally and you ONLY want to live through it once. The experience at times, feels as though you JUST cannot do one more push-up, run one more mile, take one more exam or write one more care plan. Then a remarkable thing happens, you find the inner strength to push through the challenge and propel yourself forward with the confidence that you persevered and gave it your very best. I believe that perseverance and resilience is what propels us forward and strengthens us during times of difficulty. It is only through personal or a professional challenge that one is pruned, tuned, strengthened wisdom is gained, regardless of previous historical successes. Pushing through nursing school whether the timeline is 14 months, 21 months or three years requires heart, determination, resilience, faith and intelligence not to mention the undeniable belief in the purpose of your journey.
I have traveled the world as a member of the armed forces, worked in situations that would probably have shocked the faint of heart and have been in the right place at the right time to make a difference in the lives of others. I have held numerous positions of leadership throughout my careers and worked long hours in critical incidents that I cannot even begin to accurately capture through this blog. I have treasured those experiences, valued the memories and nurtured the friendships through the years. I am often asked by individuals, WHY NURSING? With all of your career successes why would you give that up to attend school and start a new career with its own unique challenges? I admit, it’s a fair question, my response is simple. Success is not always measured by money, status, power, credentials, I have had money (had... is the operative word), great career successes and power. Success to me is doing the one thing that you would love to do even if you were not paid a single dollar. The purpose of the journey, any journey regardless of your background, sex, culture. socio-economic status in regard to choosing a nursing career is as individualized as a fingerprint. The essence of nursing and the common commitment of "standing guard" for others is grounded in ... not what is gained but what is given. It is not a rubber stamp reflection of a job; nursing is immersed in commitment, hard work and passion for people. Why Nursing? The following is just one example:
I have one story to share that occurred toward the end of my Med-Surg rotation. It was toward the end of our seven week clinical rotation and as usual we were all on a non-stop marathon of care plans, exams, quizzes and yes hours and hours of studying. I did what we all did on a weekly basis. prepared diligently for clinicals, gave 110% total nursing care with every assigned patient and survived at times on sheer determination, reserve energies and lack of sleep (PRN basis) to push through the long hours and manic moments of care plans, clinical preparation and project deadlines.
One particular week was especially difficult for me after receiving some untimely outside personal news. I continued to push through the distraction and provide 110% best patient care possible while remembering that regardless of my personal outside concerns, my patient and their nursing care was first and foremost. The long clinical shift ended and I drove home exhausted. I struggled with my fatigue both emotionally and physically. I pondered the question,” did my efforts today made any real difference? The personal and professional sacrifices to attend nursing school and the choice to start a new career did not seem as CLEARLY defined for me on that particular day. I continued to draw strength from my faith, and from my inner convictions to continue pushing through regardless of what I was “feeling” although my fatigue and life’s stressors were clearly working against me. (I thought, I could have money, status and work a regular 8 hr day what am I doing here jumping through all these hoops). I proceeded on with the rest of my week pushing through to meet deadlines and task completions. (Living on caffeine and tasty food bars- always ask for the nursing student discount).
The following week while reporting to my clinical site, a letter, addressed with my name was waiting for me on the hospital floor, below my name was written, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Student. My first reaction to this letter was, “Great, it’s another bill…financial accounts has forwarded this to my clinical site…this is special”. (Financial stressors are without question a reality during nursing school education)
I proceeded to open the letter, and discovered it was written by my assigned patient from the previous week. The patient I had cared for on the day after receiving some difficult news and wondered if my nursing actions and efforts really did make a difference. (It did) The letter touched my heart and was written with such genuine gratitude and expressed beautifully written words related to the positive impact made by my direct nursing care received on that particularly difficult day. This patient expressed through a full one page letter the positive impact of her care and the difference that it made for her in her hospital experience. Her fears were eased and her comfort level improved related to the recovery and healing process of her condition. The words at the end of the letter simply stated,” You made a difference in my care and you are going to be great nurse, thank you for always going above and beyond to take care of me, you have made a perfect career move and have a great sense of humor. (WOW) I could not believe the timing of the letter. The tears rolled down my face as I folded the letter, placed it in my pocket and realized that all my sacrifices, struggles and challenges through nursing school was not simply an academic exercise but a living example of touching lives and making a difference even when we do not realize the impact.
I will always keep that letter to remind me of regardless of our own personal circumstances and challenges in life; we do make a difference in the lives of others if we allow ourselves to embrace the gift of selfless giving. It is in those moments when we continue to give our best even though we feel as though we have nothing left to give, something marvelous occurs. We touch lives! The art and science of nursing is merged in moments that sometimes takes us by surprise and reminds us of how truly privileged we are to care for others, and to hold the sacred title Nurse or in this case, nursing student. Touching lives IS a tapestry of our successes how that is measured is as unique as the individual fingerprint.
We do make a difference each day in the lives of others and after all isn’t that the essence of why we have chosen such a challenging yet rewarding career. Pushing through the difficulties is what provides value to our journey and adds appreciation for what lessons were learned along the way.
I would like to thank those who have written me e-mails in regard to this blog site and although the day gets quite busy, I may not always get a chance to respond but be assured they are read and they touch my heart and are greatly appreciated. Thank you! Congratulations to those who have been accepted into JHUSON, great job!
Take care and thanks for visiting the site.
*****
Inspiration
Originally Posted: October 1st, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Hello Friends,
The first sets of exams have been successfully negotiated and like all things in nursing school as soon as you finish a project, care plan, or preparing for an exam; you look up and another list of deadlines and preparation must begin for another quiz, exam or patient care plan that at times seems as close as your next breath. Timing, organization and pacing yourself is key for survival to prevent feeling “overwhelmed”. You must always take time out for yourself to keep school in perspective. Imagine swimming underwater for periods of time, coming up for air to take a breath and diving back underwater, propelling yourself forward until you stop to take another breath… you quickly ascertain your position relative to your surrounding, continue heading in the direction of your intended destination and at times are unexpectedly inspired and awed by the beauty of the water world you find yourself involved in.
This weekend I was so inspired... not by the creatures of the sea, but by some of the most incredible and amazing people who are part of the legacy and tradition of the "Alumni Association”. These women and men are graduates from the JHUSON ranging from past graduating classes dating as far back as the 1940’s to recent graduates.
I had a few hours on Saturday to volunteer and help with their annual Alumni Association breakfast and lunch and I must say…I was a bit tired from a long week of exams, studying, evening clinicals and writing care plans. I had to force myself to get up early on Saturday morning…but I committed myself, so I slowly moved toward my car (the pep in my step was a little lagging) and drove to the hotel with a cup of coffee in my hand and humored by the lack of traffic on a Saturday morning in downtown Baltimore (most likely these folks were still sleeping).
As I positioned myself near the door to their function (my volunteer role) wearing a lab coat to primarily identify myself clearly as a student, I began greeting the alumni who were entering the ballroom for their breakfast and could not help but feel their enthusiastic energy. I was awed at the sight of these remarkable women and men who ranged from the ages of 91yrs to twenty something. They proceeded to file past me, greeted me with a smile and many of them stopped to engage in a few minutes of conversation. Their sharing of accomplishments, experiences and pride of being part of the JHUSON nursing legacy was evident by their grace, poise, humor, intelligence and incredible warmth and positive energy. From current Nurse Practitioners to the aged and retired nurses, they each shared personal stories about their experiences from the war to present day nursing with energetic animation that captured my attention and inspired my soul. I looked around the room at one point and just took in the energy from this collective group of amazing individuals who each one in their own right has contributed a part of themselves and continues to influence the art and science of nursing.
As I embraced their energy and laughed at their stories, I could see the passion and love for nursing in their eyes and it moved me because it was so genuine and unmasked. It was part of who they were and it propelled them forward….seeking out new challenges and never settling for the status quo.
As I finished my duties and prepared to leave, I assisted an older retired nurse (70-80 yrs) to the bathroom facilities. As we briefly talked, and laughed about needing a map to find the bathroom in the hotel, she stopped, turned to me and said,” Do you like nursing so far?”
I responded honestly to her inquiry and stated ” I do love the clinicals, but you remember what it was like sludging through Nursing school-your always immersed in something.
With a sparkle in her eye, and firm grasp on my arm she said,” Yes dear, I remember, but always know even in the hard times, you will touch the lives of people and in time you will make your own contributions to nursing”. She continued, “I am old and have not been active for many years but my hope is that students like yourself will follow in our legacy and never forget the nurses who have gone ahead of you and left their mark…you must do the same.”
I said “Yes Ma'am, I will always remember.” I thanked her for her words of wisdom said good-bye, told her to take good care of herself and walked toward the elevator. I stopped for a moment to turn in her direction …she was gone. Our brief encounter was inspiring to me and yet so simple in its transaction. I am glad I had the opportunity to meet her even for just a few minutes ….she was more than an alumni attending a function she was a nurse and a genuine soul with over sixty (60) years of experience, working with patients and impacting lives. With that spark in her eye and genuine spirit she did what she has probably done throughout her entire nursing career….touched a life, left an impression and kindled inspiration in someone she had only briefly met. The energy from the morning event carried me throughout the day and when at times I feel as though I am running low on energy and can’t bear the thought of studying another 3-4 hours on a subject….I will remember the spark in her eye and that genuine soul who has blazed a trail and continues to propel herself forward.
I would encourage all students who have the opportunity … to get involved with the alumni association, it is a remarkable group of people that not only have gone through the gauntlet of nursing school education but who continue to impact the field of nursing today on many levels and fronts. Their kindred spirit, historical legacy and passion are energies that never waivers and their light is never extinguished. What a wonderful career we have chosen!
*****
Academics and the “rite of passage”
Originally Posted: September 16th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Hello Friends,
The monthly calendar reflects midway through September and we are now progressing into the third week of clinicals and exam periods. The Nursing school experience is just that…an “Experience”. The “right of passage” is the maneuvering through each semester and one step closer to meeting the personal goals of graduating and entering the professional field of Nursing. The passage is marked by at times straight paths, but more often by winding and challenging roads that each student must negotiate to move closer to that finish line. The perseverance of pursuit is in the spirit of completion and the reality of the “schoolhouse environment” is merely a right of passage that will allow you to eventually be part of a profession that is special, unique and often challenging.
I as most students have been challenged, frustrated, and at times edified by my experiences thus far. I can pass close friends in the hallways and know by the look on their faces what kind of day their having. Nursing students become very adept at picking up energy (negative or positive) with each other and can empathize as only a collective group can that share similar experiences within the same environment.
Each semester and each clinical is progression toward the next higher level of learning. Having the opportunity this summer to work with some excellent Emergency Room / Trauma Nurses solidified the balance between school (the means) and working in the “real time” world of nursing (the valued end). To keep your eyes on the prize even when your sunk under for a week or two (as a friend told me once) is to understand the “right of passage” and know that the value of each person going through this process will have something special to offer and contribute to the field of Nursing. The science of nursing is only partially complete if the spirit and heart is lacking the passion. The passion comes from what it already in place, but is pruned and tuned by the struggle and frequent challenges from just being in nursing school.
To my friends who read this blog and who I know are struggling getting back in the groove of the fast paced academic tempo here at the SON, be assured your in good company and persevere, we are almost there.
Sometimes it is all about the journey that gives us strength to rise above the challenge and make our own mark when the time is right!
Take care and thanks for visiting the site, I will see you around Campus!
For those readers who are reading this and who are not yet in Nursing School but thinking about it….my advice to you is… the journey is worth the pains of passage….so take the risk and jump in with both feet. You're in good company, believe me.