Reflection

I began my nursing journey when I was admitted to the Practical Nursing program in May 2021. At the start, I was incredibly eager and excited; my long-standing goal of becoming a nurse was finally coming to fruition. However, the reality of nursing school proved to be much more challenging and demanding than I initially expected, especially as it unfolded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of my clinical experiences were online, with the exception of my consolidation in a psychiatric unit. While my time in the psychiatric unit was valuable, I soon realized that my true passion lies in gaining hands-on skills in a medical setting. I was eager to learn foundational clinical skills such as starting an IV, performing wound care, and exploring patient care on a medical floor. After my experience in the medical unit, I realized I wanted to expand my knowledge even further. I decided to pursue a path that would allow me to either specialize in ICU care or become a wound care nurse. This is why I made the decision to return to school to become a Registered Nurse. I am confident that these experiences will better prepare me for the demands of nursing practice, and I remain committed to growing both through my education and future clinical experiences.

After passing my RPN licensing exam in June 2023, I secured a job on the medical floor. Transitioning from being a student to a licensed nurse was challenging. I was fortunate to learn about Ontario’s Nursing Graduate Guarantee (NGG) program, which is available to nurses within 12 months of being registered with the CNO (Ontario, 2024). The program provides temporary or permanent full-time employment and extended orientation (Ontario, 2024). Instead of a two-week orientation, I was given a three-month orientation. A study on new graduate nurses about their experiences transitioning from student to nurse found that participants felt more confident in their skills when they had good preceptors and a gradual increase in their patient load. This approach helped them adapt better at work (Alharbi et al., 2023). The support from the NGG program and the extended orientation significantly impacted my ability to adjust to the demands of nursing. It not only allowed me to gradually build my skills and confidence but also highlighted the importance of having structured support during transitions in the nursing profession. As I continue my studies in the Trent Compressed Nursing Program, I find myself drawing on the time management, critical thinking, and patient care skills I’ve started to develop in my first semester. This foundation will be essential as I navigate the rigorous demands of nursing school and, eventually, my future role as a Registered Nurse.

In the Nursing as a Profession course, I am reminded of the core values that guide the nursing profession: dignity, respect, and integrity. These values are not just theoretical ideals—they are the driving force behind my decision to continue pursuing this path. As I prepare for my first clinical experience at Trent University, I am reflecting on how these principles will shape my interactions with patients and colleagues. The CNO’s Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship document states, “trust is critical in the nurse-client relationship because the client is in a vulnerable position” (CNO, 2006). This statement resonates deeply with me, as it underscores the responsibility we, as nurses, have to create an environment where patients feel safe and respected. Trust is the foundation of an effective nurse-patient relationship, and I believe treating every patient with dignity and respect is key to fostering that trust. I aspire to be a nurse who patients feel comfortable speaking to about their healthcare concerns, knowing that I will listen to them and advocate on their behalf. I want to ensure that their voices are heard, no matter the situation or their personal challenges. As I move forward in my clinical journey, I understand that embodying these values in practice will not always be easy. However, I am committed to learning, growing, and adapting, always keeping patient care at the forefront of my practice. By integrating these core values into my daily practice, I am confident that I can navigate the complexities of the nursing profession with empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous improvement. These values will guide me not only in my education but throughout my career as a nurse, reminding me of why I chose this profession in the first place.