Saying this program was a whirlwind is an understatement. Unlike some other programs, this one was designed for students who already had a previous degree and had completed all of the prerequisites for the upper level nursing courses, and therefore could be completed in 15 short months. It was essentially like we were picking up at the Junior level of nursing school. Classes started January 28, 2013, and by the first weekend we were already at the hospital starting our clinical rotations. I remember feeling nervous, excited, and not a little overwhelmed. Countless hours and experiences later, it is crazy to think about how much information we crammed into our brains in such a short amount of time. I am SO grateful I was given this opportunity, and I feel more certain now than ever that nursing is the perfect fit for me. I cannot wait to get started!!
With that being said, I also have some exciting news to share. I have accepted a job offer to work in the Medical ICU at my first choice hospital. I am humbled and feel SO grateful for the opportunity. God is GOOD. Before I started this program, I knew that there was a nursing shortage, so I figured it would be a piece of cake to find a job when I graduated. Not so. Yes, it is true that there is a nursing shortage, but hospitals have to invest time and money into training new graduates, so they often prefer to hire experienced nurses to save money. I had 8 interviews before accepting this job offer. I applied for SO many positions, but there are hundreds of applicants all vying for the same position. And I didn't have any previous hospital work experience outside of my clinical experiences, unlike many of my peers. That is why I feel so humbled, thankful, and blessed to have a job, in my first choice department and hospital, no less.
3 Things I've Learned (and that I'm still learning..)
- TO RELAX. Life is short. I worry too much, and I don't pray enough. I find myself worrying about the smallest things, silly things. But what good does that do? When I focus on all that I have to be thankful for, it doesn't leave room for worry. Gratitude causes worry to shrink, and joy can then take over. I am learning to trust, and God is so patient with me. I have a few verses that I use to go to battle when fear and worry creep in that I thought I would share here:
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" - Matthew 6:27
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:34
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39
- LOVE YOURSELF. I think we can all admit that sometimes this simple statement can be a challenge to act out. I know I can be really hard on myself when I mess up, and I often lack confidence in my abilities. In nursing school, there were many times when I felt that my skills were inadequate, or that I wasn't doing them quite right (starting IVs, wound care, you name it). But I was way too hard on myself, like I often am. I had JUST learned those skills. Of course I wasn't going to perform them like an expert. It takes time and practice. In no way do I expect my skills or nursing care to be perfect (now or ever), but we are talking about caring for people and I didn't want to mess up, especially when they were doing ME a favor by letting a student practice on them. However, through this process, I have learned to love myself, believe in myself, and trust that it is ultimately God taking care of my patients, not me. God has called me to this profession, and my job is to do my best and leave the rest up to Him. Steve and my family have also been a HUGE encouragement for me when I have lacked self-confidence. They believe in me even when I don't believe in myself. I am SO thankful for the support and love I've had throughout this process. Definitely makes things easier! May we all remember that God has made us beautiful, in His image, and that we are His. You are loved, people!
- I LOVE NURSING. Before starting nursing school, I was fairly certain that nursing would be a good career for me, but there was still so much I didn't know about nursing. I knew I loved the health field and people, and I hoped that nursing would be the right avenue for me to use these passions. However, I can now say, without any reservation, that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. I cannot wait to start my career as a Registered Nurse. Bring. It. On.
