My reflection
Two key experiences shaped my decision to become a nurse. The first was the birth of my premature sister, who spent several months in the hospital after she was born. As children, seeing her fight for her life was frightening, but the nurses made all the difference. Despite being incredibly busy, they took the time to check in on our entire family, recognizing that we were all struggling. They not only cared for my sister’s physical needs but also focused on her emotional and spiritual well-being, ensuring she felt comfortable and safe. The nurses’ compassion inspired me to want to provide that same care for others.
The second experience was my own time at McMaster Hospital after my suicide attempt. At first, I was treated with judgment and disrespect by healthcare providers at a different hospital, making me regret seeking help. However, when I arrived at McMaster, the nurses there were completely different. They made me feel safe and cared for, offering not only physical care but emotional support for both me and my family. During the darkest time in my life, it was the nurses who truly helped me, engaging in conversations and showing genuine empathy. Their compassion made a significant difference in my recovery and motivated me to pursue nursing.
The transition from high school and working at Wendy’s to becoming a first-semester nursing student has been both exciting and challenging. In high school, I had a more structured routine and manageable assignments, leaving me with more time for extracurricular activities and socializing. Balancing my job at Wendy’s helped me develop time management skills, but it didn’t require the level of mental effort that my nursing coursework demands.
Now, as a nursing student, I quickly realized that the workload is much heavier. The volume of reading, assignments, and the complexity of the material require me to adjust my study habits and expectations. Time management has become even more important, not just in balancing school with work, but in prioritizing my academic responsibilities. Unlike high school, where assignments could be completed in a few hours, I now need to dedicate substantial time each day to studying, reviewing material, and preparing for exams.
This transition has also brought challenges beyond academics, particularly in managing stress and maintaining my well-being. I’m learning to cope with the pressure by organizing my tasks, staying focused, and making self-care a priority.
The coursework itself has been both motivating and intimidating. The content is more specialized, and knowing that it directly impacts patient care makes it feel even more significant. The clinical component, which I will soon experience, excites me as it connects my studies to real-life practice.
In general, the shift from high school and working at Wendy’s to nursing school has been tough, but it’s also been a time of growth. I’ve learned more about what it takes to succeed in nursing, and I’m committed to building the resilience, organization, and discipline needed to thrive in this next chapter of my life.
As a first-year nursing student, I am eager to move forward with my nursing career by building a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that will guide me throughout my journey. I am committed to embracing every learning opportunity, both in the classroom and during clinical placements, as I work to develop my clinical judgment, critical thinking, and patient-care abilities. I recognize that nursing is not just about mastering medical knowledge but also about fostering compassionate care, communication, and empathy with patients and their families. My goal is to grow as both a student and a future nurse by staying focused on my academics while balancing self-care and maintaining a positive mindset. I am determined to stay motivated, learn from challenges, and continuously seek opportunities for growth, with the ultimate aspiration of becoming a competent, compassionate, and well-rounded nurse who can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Articles that relate to my reflection:
- “The role of compassionate care in patient recovery” (Sinclair, S., et al., 2016) This article discusses the profound impact that compassionate care has on patient recovery, particularly in emotionally intense situations such as your sister’s premature birth and your own mental health crisis. It highlights how nurses’ emotional and spiritual support can promote healing, reduce anxiety, and improve patient outcomes. This aligns with your experiences of nurses who not only attended to your sister’s physical health but also ensured her emotional and spiritual well-being. The research validates the power of empathy and kindness in nursing practice, reinforcing your desire to provide the same care to others. The emotional support you received during your time at McMaster, where nurses showed empathy and made you feel safe during a critical time in your life, can be understood through this research. Nurses who offer compassionate care make a lasting impact on both physical and emotional recovery, which was the motivation behind your decision to pursue nursing. shorten and rephrase
- “The Transition from High School to Nursing School: Challenges and Coping Strategies” (Koh, S., & Lee, M., 2018. This article explores the difficulties nursing students face as they transition from high school or a previous job to the rigorous demands of nursing education. It discusses how students experience stress, academic pressure, and the need for better time management, all of which you mentioned in your journey from high school to nursing school. The research also emphasizes the importance of support systems, study habits, and self-care in overcoming these challenges. This article helps explain your experience with balancing the academic and personal demands of nursing school. The transition from a structured high school routine and a part-time job to nursing school is indeed a complex shift, and this research highlights the importance of building coping strategies, such as time management and self-care, which you are actively learning. The article reinforces your commitment to growing as a nursing student by staying organized and focusing on self-care during stressful times.
References
Gause, G., Leepile Alfred Sehularo, & Molekodi Jacob Matsipane. (2024). Coping strategies used by undergraduate first-year nursing students during transition from basic to higher education: a qualitative study. BMC Nursing, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01938-5
Sinclair, S., McClement, S., Raffin-Bouchal, S., Hack, T. F., Hagen, N. A., McConnell, S., & Chochinov, H. M. (2016). Compassion in Health Care: An Empirical Model. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 51(2), 193–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.10.009