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, careplan, or preparing for an exam; you look up and another list of deadlines and preparation must begin for another quiz, exam or patient careplan 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 unexpectactly 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 careplans. 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 enthustiatic 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 Practioners 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 scienc 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 Maam, 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 propell 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 is an energy that never waivers and their light is never extinguished. What a wonderful career we have chosen!
Take care and thanks for visiting the site.