Reflection
NURS 1001
This section displays my starting journey to the Trent Fleming Nursing Program, my first semester experience, and my understanding of the nursing profession has evolved. It also explores my aspirations for my future career as a nurse.
In September 2024, I embarked on a life-changing journey at the Trent Fleming Nursing Program. I received the exciting news that I was accepted into the program, a moment I had been eagerly anticipating after much reflection. Before this, I had spent time weighing my options between nursing and a medical professional stream program. While I was drawn to both, I ultimately chose nursing because it aligns closely with my passion for direct patient care and making a meaningful impact in people’s lives. Nursing offers a unique blend of science and compassion, and I knew that was the path I wanted to take. As a result of my desire to become a nurse, I chose the nursing program, and I don’t regret that decision. Now, I’m learning about patient-centered care and how to communicate effectively with patients and healthcare workers. I’m understanding the core goals of nursing and how important it is to put patients first. Balancing school, work, and life is challenging, but I’m managing. My transition from high school to the Trent Fleming Nursing program was not as I expected. The task was far more difficult, and the expectations were higher. Self-directed learning was valued at Trent University, particularly in the nursing program. I was now expected to evaluate and use knowledge in a clinical and practical setting rather than just memorize it for tests. Adjusting to the greater academic responsibilities and increasing independence is one of the biggest hurdles for students making the move from high school to university (Akhtar, 2024). Becoming a nursing student has made me manage my time, prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, and has allowed me to manage the competing demands of the nursing program effectively. I’ve made a schedule that works for me and surrounded myself with supportive people. Soon, I’ll start clinical training, where I’ll apply what I’ve learned in real-life situations. I’m nervous but at the same time excited. I anticipate challenges, but I’m delighted for the opportunity to improve my skills, build confidence, and make a meaningful impact. Clinical placements will provide hands-on experience, allowing me to develop practical skills and connect theory to practice (Ko et al., 2022). I’m excited to work with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
The Trent Fleming Nursing program has exceeded my expectations, offering a nurturing environment that fosters growth and exploration. I’m glad to be part of this community and look forward to the journey ahead. As the first semester progresses, I am starting to have more confidence in my abilities to balance the requirements of the nursing program on both a personal and academic level. The transition has been difficult, but it has also been incredibly meaningful. The chance to gain practical experience in clinical assignments is one of the highlights of the program that most fascinates me. I’m confident that this will be a crucial component of my education and provide me with the chance to put all I’ve learned into practice. I feel ready for the challenge because I’ve deepened my understanding of the critical thinking abilities needed for nursing practice, improved my time-management abilities, and enhanced my interpersonal communication skills. So far, learning about nursing practice, I’m developing essential skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving, effective communication and collaboration, empathy and compassion, and adaptability and resilience. I am excited to keep developing my abilities and getting ready for the challenges of clinical practice as I proceed through the program. I have a solid foundation from the first semester, and I can’t wait to keep moving forward in my efforts to become the nurse I want to be.