"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, but it’s the reflection on each step that shapes the path forward, guiding us with wisdom and hope." (Goodreads, 2024, para. 3)

My journey into the nursing field began a little over 2 years ago, as I began to contemplate a different career path. This contemplation was the result of watching a loved one fall ill and navigate the hospital system. I wanted to ensure they received compassionate care that alleviated suffering. I wanted to be that caregiver but knew my skills were limited.

At this time, I also began thinking deeply about life and purpose and how well I was fulfilling mine.  I had a good career in education–working both locally and internationally alongside educators, in areas of pedagogy and practice to improve student outcomes. I was blessed with a succesful career and achieved the goals I set out for myself in that chapter of life. Despite this success, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was ready for a new challenge-one that would allow me to confront the present realities of my life more directly and meaningfully. Sitting alone in a hospital room, while staring at the doors of the intensive care unit, I asked myself, “How can I repurpose and leverage the skills I’ve developed in my education career to align with where I am in life now?”

Driven by pain,  defined by purpose and  fuelled by desire, I began considering a career in nursing.  Personal experiences like mine often inspire some nurses to enter the profession. These intimate experiences of illness of a loved one provide understanding of the importance of compassion, empathy, and the profound impact that a nurse can have, in helping individuals through difficult and transitional times in their lives (ANA, 2024). I was both inspired and scared to leave the comfort of a profession I had only ever known, especially during a time when my responsibilities were growing. Financial worries and time constraints were major concerns, but I prayed and trusted that God had a greater plan for me than I could imagine.

As my hospital visits became more frequent and longer, I used this time to observe nurses in practice . I noticed many similarities between nursing and education, such as action plans with goals, interventions, and strategies to promote optimal outcomes, often displayed in patients’ rooms. I was likely observing a care plan designed to ensure quality patient care over time. It is a nurses roadmap that guides their actions and quantifies desired outcomes reflecting each patient’s needs and health goals (UAHS, 2024). I also observed measures in place to ensure confidentiality at all times, as it is a key duty in the nurse-patient relationship. Confidentiality is important in health care because some personal information may be discomfiting or have negative repercussions for a patient (Conlon & al., 2024, p. 3)

I began to notice values that aligned with my own, which made me feel more comfortable. One such value was the importance of maintaining transparent communication between nurses, doctors, family members, and all professionals involved in care. Effective communication builds trust and comfort among patients and families; positively impacting the nursing process, clinical reasoning and decision-making. It also promotes high-quality care, positive patient outcomes, and satisfaction for both patients and nurses (Afriyie, 2020, p. 433).

I admired the relationships nurses built with patients and families. As the primary point of contact, nurses are uniquely positioned to develop therapeutic relationships, which are essential for effective patient-centered care. These relationships enable a deeper understanding of patients’ needs and preferences (Shaban et al., 2024, p. 2). Nurses also worked closely with other paraprofessionals to support positive patient outcomes–a collaboration that helps reduce errors. According to an article by Johnson & Johnson on the importance of interprofessional collaboration, “When healthcare team members work together, patient outcomes improve by decreasing medical errors and preventable complications” (Johnson & Johnson, 2024).

Comforted by what I saw, I took the first step toward a nursing career, starting with research—connecting with nurses in the hospital and exploring professional nursing websites. I discovered that nursing is not just a health services field, but also a humanitarian and social one. It is both a science and an art with a rich history (Abedin et al., 2024, p. 845). I then researched the process of becoming a nurse and returned to school to complete my prerequisites, which took me eight months. This part of my journey was challenging as I had been out of school for some time. I had to relearn how to balance work, personal life, and school. I overcame this by seeking online resources for mature students returning to school and adopting helpful strategies.

I applied to nursing school in fall of 2023 and received an offer into the program on March 1, 2024. Before starting nursing school, I was nervous about returning to full-time studies while managing other life responsibilities. Having just completed my prerequisites over eight months, I felt somewhat less anxious. To prepare, I attended orientation, connected with former students in the field and watched several videos to support my transition into Trent.

I am currently in my third month of the program and the transition has become easier as I’ve developed a routine. I enjoy learning about nursing theory and the nursing process. A key moment in my learning has been the emphasis on continued professional development and effective collaboration. This inspired me to join the RNAO Student Association to support my growth alongside professional nurses. As a member of this group I attended my first webinar few days ago titled, Safety and Wellness in Nursing School to learn strategies for maintaining optimal health during my studies in this program.

Overall, the nursing program at Trent has been what I expected in terms of work commitment and participation. I knew it would require significant time to read, understand, and review concepts while completing assignments. I also understood the importance of both independent and collaborative work, as demonstrated in lab simulations like PPE and specimen collection–where I worked as part of a group to discuss best nursing practices as well as individually to simulate them. As I continue on in this program, I look forward to learning more about the scope of nursing practice and towards participating in clinical placements. I smile as I look toward the future–fully embracing the start of this new journey!