3 Reflection

In 2023, I struggled. I had completed a program in early childhood education and although that may seem like an a happy and successful accomplishment, it was not for me. I realized that I did not like the field and felt like I never belonged in the teaching community. After coming to the realization that I did not want to continue pursuing a teaching degree, I felt lost. I did not know what I wanted to do with myself and felt unmotivated. I had multiple discussions with my father who helped me realize that I am still motivated but I need to believe in myself to pursue a career in nursing.

As 2024 rolled around, I began to research nurses and what their environment is like. I wanted to have a better understanding of what it is like to be a nurse. I learned about the nursing shortages that have been going on for years and the extent of the issue (Journal of Emergency Nursing, 2019). I also learned about the increasing workloads, overtime hours, nurse-to-patient ratios rising, lack of support, high stress, and the feeling of burnout (Journal of Emergency Nursing, 2019). This new information began to make me second guess my decision to pursue nursing for a minute however, I realized how much I cared as well as how helpless I felt. I wanted to be a part of the change and advocate for nurses as well as support them by becoming a nurse and sharing the workloads. Those negative factors became my new motivation factors to help me persevere.

Now that I am in nursing school, I often find myself thinking about how hard I have currently been working and if I am doing the best that I can do. I believe that the answer is “no” and that I can do better because I am reminded daily about nurses throughout COVID. During COVID, nurses were on the frontlines everyday taking care of the public and putting themselves at risk. Nursing students who had just graduated were being thrown into the field during a crazy and unexpected time. Some of those nursing students did not give up when it got hard or think that they were doing the best and not go above and beyond; nurses were constantly improving on themselves to provide the best care for the public. COVID was a motivating factor for some nursing students who had just graduated as their core values were being put to the test (Avraham, R., et al. 2023). By constantly improving as a nursing student, it allows for me to understand and learn how to provide a holistic approach when caring for patients (Frisch, N.C. & Rabinowitsch, D. 2019). As a nursing student, improving and reflecting on myself to provide a more patient-centered and holistic approach will help me develop the appropriate nursing skills to become a great nurse (Frisch, N.C. & Rabinowitsch, D. 2019).