6 Artifacts
Artifact #1- Accepting my offer at Trent University for Nursing
My first artifact is the email I received when I accepted my offer to Trent University for nursing. This was such an exciting moment for me because it felt like the thousands of hours of work I put in had finally paid off and it was becoming very real. This acceptance was the very first step to my nursing career and I couldn’t have been more excited and motivated to take this new chapter on. This acceptance was evidence to my hard and I wasn’t going to take this opportunity for granted. I knew that once I got into nursing school and began my studies, I was going to work as hard as I could to succeed. I am going to follow through with this mindset for when I actually become a nurse as well, working hard to be the best possible nurse that I could be.
Artifact #2- CPR BLS Provider Certificate
My second artifact was receiving my CPR certificate. This was the first time I ever learned CPR and received a certification for it. Going into it I was definitely nervous because it seemed like all of my classmates had previous experience with CPR. However, I just pushed through and tried my best, and actually had fun doing it. Completing this certificate was able to show me that I am going to have to go out of my comfort zone as a nursing student and nurse many times, however, I just have to try my hardest and be willing to learn, and everything should work out in my favour.
Artifact #3- My First University Assignment Grade 
Going into university I have always listened to the stereotype that you can never achieve a grade over 70%. Hearing this scared and discouraged me considering how I need academic validation. Completing my first ever university assignment, I tried my absolute hardest, hoping for that 70%. I got a notification that I got my grade back and it was a 95%! Seeing this shocked me and made me extremely happy. This made me remember that hard work does indeed pay off. This will be very important to remember for my entire life, especially as a nurse. To be a great nurse requires hard work, and I am confident I can achieve that if I am able to keep going.
Artifact #4 – Having Balance as a Nursing Student
In grade 12 of high school, I was constantly stressed about school, and was dealing with bad anxiety. This caused me to completely isolate myself from my friends and family, only ever thinking about the stress I had, and trying to complete assignments. I spent all my time on school, but was not succeeding to my abilities. By the end of the school year I went on anxiety medication and was much happier, and began to take time to do things that I enjoy, and surround myself with the people I love. Going into nursing school I was afraid the same isolation was going to happen again. However, I have been able to time manage and balance to ensure happiness and success. I have learned that my happiness and mental health comes first, and that way everything I do after will be done with a clear and focused mind. This is crucial as a nurse. Letting my career become my entire life is not the right way to live. Doing things that I enjoy including cooking, going for nature walks, and hanging out with friends and family can ensure that I am able to be the best nurse I can be.