Personal Reflection
My path into the Compressed Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Trent University was not always direct and clear, but I would not change a thing about my journey. Looking back to just a few years ago, I honestly did not foresee myself becoming a nurse, however, I am now certain I am I am exactly where I am meant to be. Nursing is a somewhat newfound passion of mine, so I am very excited and eager to see where my nursing journey takes me.
To recap my story; when I was younger I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. I followed this trajectory for the first 20 years of my life. Following graduation from high school, I attended the University of Guelph to obtain my Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Biology and a minor in Biomedical Science. In order to become a vet, I needed to then attend Veterinary school. Following my degree, I applied for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at the Ontario Veterinary College. Unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic and online learning negatively influenced my vet school application and I was unsuccessful in gaining admission.
As much as I was devastated by my rejection to veterinary school, the closure of that door led to the opening of a new door for me. During the pandemic I gained the opportunity to work in a nursing home. The facility was one of the first residences in Ontario to have a confirmed coronavirus outbreak, which unfortunately resulted in extreme staff shortages. I was fortunate to be able to gain exposure to the field of nursing through working in a variety of roles in the facility. I had no previous nursing experience, but jumped into roles as a care aid, screener, dietary aide, receptionist, porter, and cook, oftentimes working upwards of 70 hours a week to provide care to residents. This was an extremely difficult but rewarding period of my life in which I practiced resiliency, selflessness, and determination. It was through this position that I learned how nurses and health care professionals are a vital component of our community, and learned the many traits required to be a nurse. It was through this experience that I learned of my passion for human healthcare in addition to my existing love for animals and the veterinary field. This opportunity was responsible for major personal growth and character development and sparked my interest in applying to nursing school. I am extremely thankful for this experience as it marks a critical transition in my career path and personal development.
My final decision to apply to nursing school was based on an assessment of my character traits and the navigation towards a career field that would best suit these abilities. I am naturally a very helpful person who deeply cares about others. The Canadian Nursing Association (CNO) deems compassion and empathy as critically important parts of the therapeutic relationship between a nurse and a patient (2019). A quote that resonates with me deeply is; “Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves but for the many others whose lives we touch” (CNO, 2019). I embrace empathy, respect, professionalism, and collaboration as my core values and plan to incorporate these skills throughout my clinical placements as a nursing student and in my future nursing practice.
The transition into the compressed Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has been exciting but also stressful. I was excited to start this new chapter of my life knowing I am working towards a larger goal of becoming a nursing professional. However, as a mature student I am often overwhelmed by my responsibilities outside of work such as taking care of my home, working part-time, part-owning a business, and managing finances. Stress management is critical in the nursing profession. A research study conducted by Siraj et al. (2023) highlights how coping strategies taught in nursing school have been shown to reduce stress load in nursing students in compressed education streams. Continuous stress and anxiety can impair overall performance and negatively affect health and well-being in nursing students (Siraj at al., 2023). I have utilized this information along with material taught in one of my other Fall 2024 semester courses, NURS 1000 (Individual as a Nurse), to create an effective plan to manage my stress. Creation of a Virtual Hope Kit and radical acceptance plan greatly helped shape my mindset to be more wellbeing-focused during my nursing journey. The creation of a personalized self-care plan / virtual hope kit has been extremely beneficial to my perspective on achieving health. Wellness planning has been shown to have a statistically significant increase on one’s sense of personal empowerment and general life satisfaction (Marchinko & Clarke, 2011). I have gained a better understanding of my sources of happiness, and the activities, techniques and people that aid me in achieving the best version of myself. It will be important for me to adhere to this plan during challenging times throughout my career and life, and often revisit the scheme. I shall continuously evaluate and revise the components of my personalized plan as needed as my lifestyle changes through different events and milestones. I plan to use the information acquired in my undergraduate nursing courses throughout my nursing career.
In NURS 1001 (The Nursing Profession in Today’s Society), we have created this nursing e-book as a comprehensive reflection of my nursing journey, philosophy, core values, beliefs, and personal goals for my future in the nursing profession. This portfolio encompasses my guiding values of empathy, professionalism, respect, and collaboration, which are portrayed in my interactions with my patients, colleagues, families, and other healthcare professionals. This portfolio highlights my aspirations to explore the emergency / critical care and labor and delivery areas of the nursing field that interest me most. Lastly, my e-book features a series of artifacts that have driven my passion and practice. I plan to build on this portfolio as I progress through my studies here and the rest of my nursing path.
I am looking forward to continuing my nursing journey in the compressed BSc in nursing program at Trent University, and cannot wait to make a difference in the lives of my patients as a Registered nurse one day!