My Beliefs
Everyone has their own thoughts, values, and beliefs. These values guide us in life and make us who we are. Sharing and reflecting on these beliefs helps us understand each other and grow as individuals. Here are four beliefs that guide me as a student nurse and in my personal life.
- Everything Happens for a Reason
I believe everything in life happens for a reason. This belief became very personal to me when I started university later than most of my friends. At first, I felt upset and left behind because they were moving forward while I was just starting. It was hard, and I questioned why this happened to me. Over time, I realized starting late gave me time to grow, mature, and prepare for this journey in ways I couldn’t have before. Now, I believe my path wasn’t wrong, it was just different. Life has a way of teaching us and leading us at the right time, even if it doesn’t feel like it at first.
- What Goes Around Comes Around
I strongly believe in karma that the way you treat others always comes back to you. Whether it’s kindness, honesty, or even harm, life eventually balances things out. This belief reminds me to always treat people the way I want to be treated. As a student nurse, this is especially important. Patients and families often come to us in their most vulnerable moments, and a little compassion and care can mean so much. We never fully know what others are going through, so I try to act with kindness and fairness. When we do good for others, good finds its way back to us.
- You Are What You Say You Are
I believe that confidence and self-worth shape our future. Many successful people, like millionaires and billionaires, believed in themselves even when their circumstances didn’t support their dreams. They knew their value and worked hard to reach their goals. This inspires me to think positively about my own potential. As a student nurse, I remind myself that my goals are achievable if I believe in myself and work hard. Self-belief pushes us to take risks, grow, and reach for the best version of ourselves.
- Faith in God
Above all, I believe in God. My faith is what keeps me grounded during tough times. When I feel overwhelmed, I trust that God has a plan for me and that I am never alone. This belief gives me strength and helps me find peace, even in difficult moments. As I care for patients, I am reminded that every life is precious and that my work is part of something bigger. My faith helps me stay kind, patient, and hopeful, no matter what challenges I face.
These beliefs guide me in life and as a student nurse. They remind me to trust my journey, treat others with care, believe in myself, and have faith in something greater. Reflecting on our beliefs is essential because it helps us grow and connect with others. By staying true to what we believe, we can become better people and make the world a kinder, more understanding place.
My Values as a Person and Aspiring Nurse
- Accountability
Accountability is a big part of who I am. I believe in taking responsibility for my actions, whether they lead to success or a mistake. I’ve learned that avoiding responsibility only makes situations worse but admitting when I’m wrong allows me to grow and become better. There have been times when I had to face the consequences of my decisions, and even though it was hard, it taught me strength and honesty. In nursing, accountability is essential because patients trust you to be reliable and truthful. This value directly aligns with the nursing code of ethics, which emphasizes responsibility and integrity in all actions.
- Justice
Justice is a value I hold close to my heart. I believe everyone deserves equal access to education, shelter, clean water, and medical care. For me, treating everyone equally isn’t just a belief, it’s how I live my life. I make it a point to treat every person I meet with the same fairness and care, no matter my personal feelings or opinions about them. Justice is also a key principle in the nursing code of ethics, which calls for providing equal and fair treatment to all patients. As a future nurse, I am committed to ensuring that everyone I care for feels valued and respected.
- Communication
Communication is one of the most important values in my life. I’ve experienced how miscommunication can cause misunderstandings and strain relationships, and these moments taught me just how powerful clear and honest communication can be. For me, communication isn’t just about talking it’s about listening, understanding, and connecting with others. I believe it is the key to building and maintaining strong relationships with the people I care about. In nursing, communication is essential for understanding patients’ needs, building trust with their families, and working well with colleagues. This value is also reflected in the nursing code of ethics, which highlights the importance of collaboration and clear expression in patient care.
- Trust and Respect
Trust and respect are values I live by every day. Without them, I believe it’s impossible to build meaningful relationships, whether at home, work, or in the community. Respect, for me, means valuing every person equally, no matter their background or situation. I feel especially strongly about respecting the elderly, as I’ve often seen how their voices and opinions are ignored. Trust, on the other hand, takes time to build but is essential for creating safety and connection. In nursing, trust and respect are critical. Patients place their lives in our hands, and it’s our duty to honor that trust and treat them with dignity. These values also align with the nursing code of ethics, which emphasizes respect for human dignity and the importance of building trust in patient relationships.
These values aren’t just ideals, they are personal to me. They shape who I am as a person and guide the kind of nurse I strive to become. They reflect both my experiences and my commitment to living by the principles of the nursing profession.
Reflection on Transitioning into the Nursing Program
Transitioning into the nursing program has been a pivotal experience in my personal and professional growth. It has challenged my resilience, adaptability, and ability to balance competing demands, while fostering a deeper understanding of the values and responsibilities intrinsic to the nursing profession. This reflection explores my transition into this field, highlighting personal challenges and the strategies employed to navigate this change effectively, supported by relevant literature.
One of the most significant adjustments during this transition was adapting to the intensity of the nursing curriculum. The structured nature of the program, coupled with the need to develop clinical skills and theoretical knowledge simultaneously, initially felt overwhelming. According to Phillips et al. (2017), students entering nursing programs often experience “academic shock,” characterized by stress from managing time, navigating unfamiliar expectations, and engaging in collaborative learning environments. My experience mirrored these findings, as I struggled to find equilibrium between academic demands and personal responsibilities.
To address this, I incorporated time management strategies and sought support through peer study groups and mentorship programs. These resources proved invaluable, not only in academic performance but also in building a sense of community and belonging within the program. Research by Thomas et al. (2018) highlights the importance of peer and faculty support in easing the transition to professional programs, noting that such relationships bolster emotional well-being and enhance learning outcomes. My ability to connect with peers and mentors provided a critical support system that eased my transition.
The role transition from student to nursing professional also required a shift in my self-concept and personal identity. Previously, I had viewed myself primarily as a learner, passively absorbing information. However, the nursing program demands active participation, critical thinking, and application of knowledge in real-world contexts. This shift is supported by Meleis’ Transition Theory, which describes how individuals must adapt their self-perception to align with new roles and responsibilities (Meleis et al., 2000). In this context, I recognized the need to develop greater confidence in decision-making and embrace the responsibilities of patient care.
One specific instance that reinforced this transition involved my first clinical placement. Witnessing the impact of compassionate care on a patient’s recovery was both inspiring and intimidating. It underscored the importance of building not only technical skills but also emotional intelligence, a quality I am actively cultivating. Emotional intelligence, as Goleman (1995) explains, is a critical competency for nurses, influencing their ability to empathize, communicate effectively, and manage the emotional labor inherent in the profession.
Reflecting on my progress, I realize that transitioning into the nursing program is not a single event but a continuous process of growth and adaptation. Developing self-awareness and embracing a growth mindset have been integral to my journey. I have learned to view challenges as opportunities for improvement rather than obstacles, an approach supported by research on resilience in nursing students (Thomas et al., 2018). By fostering resilience, I am better equipped to navigate future transitions, including those that will arise as I enter clinical practice.
In conclusion, my transition into the nursing program has been marked by significant personal and professional development. While the challenges have been substantial, they have also been opportunities to build resilience, adapt to new roles, and embrace the values of the nursing profession. Through reflection, support from peers and mentors, and a commitment to continuous learning, I have laid a strong foundation for my journey as a nurse. Moving forward, I aim to continue building on these experiences, with a focus on empathy, competence, and lifelong growth
