Reflection
In this chapter I will be speaking about experiences that lead me to the Trent Fleming School of Nursing. I will discuss moments in my first semester and my hopes to further my career in nursing.
In 2022 I was introduced to the profession of nursing at a retirement home. I got a job as a dietary aide, but learned a lot about the geriatric side of nursing through this experience. The thing that I loved about my job at the retirement home was how I got to know the residents. I didn’t just know their food preferences and dinner orders, I also got to know them as individuals. During my time there I got to learn about their families, careers they did when they were younger, and just connect with them overall. My job was to take their lunch or dinner orders, but I got so much satisfaction from getting to know who they were. On my breaks I loved to play games with them; I would play fish, snakes and ladders, or do a puzzle. This opportunity is a key factor that has influenced my philosophy of nursing.
In September 2024, I began my journey through nursing school. The summer leading up to this year I was extremely nervous but also excited because it was a big change. During the summer I tried to get myself as prepared as I possibly could, for going into a new environment. I found the transition from living at home attending high school to living on my own in residence and attending university classes quite overwhelming. In the first week I quickly realized how different the workload was from high school. It seemed that it would be extremely easy to fall behind in classes if I didn’t make a schedule. At the bookstore a few days later I bought a calendar with all four months clearly laid out, so I could write in all of my assignments, tests, and quizzes. viewing the calendar allowed me to take a step back and reflect on how manageable the course load would be after seeing it all written out. This schedule has allowed me time to focus on my studies as well as find time to pursue my own hobbies and interests. In the article ” This scheduling hack can help you be more productive and happier at work – here’s how,” the author discusses ways that planning and making a calendar are beneficial. The author of this article Morgan Smith discusses how setting clear guidelines for how you spend your time and energy is the easiest and most effective way to boost productivity. This means that having a clear plan or structure for your time and energy can help you stay focused and efficient. By setting specific guidelines—like deciding which tasks to prioritize, how long to spend on them, and when to take breaks—you’re less likely to get distracted, overwhelmed, or burnout (Smith, 2024). This has made a big difference in reducing my stress level because by looking ahead, I can organize my time effectively.
I also found the transition for nutrition quite different. I started to realize early on that my nutrition was a bit unbalanced because of the change from eating food that my parents had prepared for me at home, to using the dining plan. I found that I wasn’t eating enough fruit and vegetables, and carbohydrates were dominating my diet. This was because of the dining hall meal options. The dining options at Trent do not contain a high level of vegetables or fruit. I have found that when I go into Peterborough I buy myself a package of baby carrots and some fruit to store in my fridge so I am getting the proper nutrients needed. I found a quote by Dr. Bottorff that says, “We know many students consume high-calorie meals along with sugary foods and drinks and there is lots of evidence to show those kinds of eating behaviours can lead to obesity. (Wellborn, 2023)” This quote to me sums up what it is like to be a university student living in residence with a dining plan. There was quite a transition made when moving away from my parents, where the meals were balanced with a lot of vegetables. However, by looking at my eating habits critically and discussing what I eat with friends and family, I feel more aware of the proper nutrients needed and ways I can improve my own nutrition.
As my first ever semester at Trent starts to come to a close, I am excited to see what the future brings to my time at Trent University. Also, as I prepare for the challenges I will face in my first ever clinical placement, I am extremely excited for the new learning experience and the hands-on application of nursing practices that I will learn in my next semester.