Reflection

Today’s the day of our pinning and I feel a mix of emotions: happy, excited, proud, scared, sad…

I am so proud of all of my classmates and happy that we have made it to the end. All of our blood, sweat, and tears have brought us to this point and I couldn’t be more excited for our futures. I have made lifelong friends in this program and will be sad when we all go off on our separate ways, but I know we will all look back on these years with good memories.

Looking back on the last 3 years, I realize how much I have changed and how much I have learned. Every lecture, sim, project, test, discussion board, and clinical day has built up my knowledge, critical thinking, abilities/skills, and emotional/psychological strength. I still can’t say I’m 100% confident in myself, but I’ve come a long way since the beginning when I was unsure if I was even capable of being a nurse. I know I’m capable now, and I know that I can make a difference in the nursing profession and in people’s lives with what I have to offer.

What do I have to offer?

I have my knowledge and critical thinking skills – which I’ve gained from amazing instructors and preceptors who knew how to encourage, push, shape, and mold us. I will use this to recognize potential problems, initiate proper interventions, and educate when needed.

I have my compassion – which has grown even more in the last 3 years. I will use this to care for every patient as if they were my own family member or friend.

I have my determination and perseverance – something I have come to learn about myself. I do not give up and I do not let failure bring me down. I will use this to make sure every patient under my care has the best care.

I have my humor – which will help keep things light when situations are dark.

and I have another one that I thought I could never use in this field… my creative side. When I joined nursing school, I was prepared to say goodbye to my artsy crafts and drawings. But I’ve learned that I can use my drawings to help patients. I have already used my pictures numerous times to help with patient education when language or hearing barriers got in the way.

I don’t know what type of nursing I will end up in, but I have been well prepared and I am ready for it!