In my first year, I took a course called “Introduction to Nursing as a Profession,” which provided a comprehensive overview of the history, image, and structure of nursing. This course delved into key topics such as the attributes of professionalism, self-regulation, and the importance of healthy workplaces. We explored professional conduct, accountability, inter-professional collaboration, and the nurse-client relationship, emphasizing the significance of effective communication and the nursing process.

Throughout the course, we examined the historical and current trends influencing nursing practice and learned about the organizations that support the profession in Ontario, highlighting the privilege of self-regulation.

The course employed a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, group work, and reflective assignments, culminating in the preparation of an entry-level professional portfolio. This experience helped me understand the elements of the nursing process and the central role of critical thinking in our field. Overall, I found this course to be a vital stepping stone in my nursing education, as it deepened my appreciation for the profession and reinforced the importance of values and ethics in nursing practice. I really enjoyed this course as it shaped my understanding of what it means to be a nurse in today’s healthcare landscape.