From this... My first day in Clinical as a CNA
To my first clinical experience as a Nursing Student...
To this.
Finally, a Graduate Nurse.
Took me a while. But I finally got here.
I got to give a speech because I was the President of the Student Nurse Association
As soon as I have the speech uploaded to youtube I'll post a link.
I was so honored to be one of three special students to receive the "Spirit of Nursing" Award:
I received my LBCC Nursing Pin..
And recited the "Nightingale Pledge"
I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.
I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.
With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.
Some of my Instructors:
Bonnie
Kim
Marcy
Sheryl
Virginia
And my friend Jessie
This is my beautiful, funny, and smart study group:
And as if this post wasn't already long enough...
I give you...
My speech:
Thank you everyone for coming to our Convocation Ceremony.
You were all invited because someone you know has worked
very hard to be here today.
You have seen us study harder than we have ever studied
before, been stressed out to levels we didn’t think were possible, and
celebrate every passing grade… even the barely passing ones.
I know there is something you are dying to say.
So class, turn around so you can make eye contact with your
friends and family that have come to see you today.
Now friends and family repeat after me: “Congratulations! (repeat) You did it!
(repeat)”
Class, we all know that there is no way we would be here
today without the support of our friends and family.
They have gone through this process with us: holding our hands, washing the dishes,
watching our children, wiping away our tears, joining our mini celebrations, a
picking up the pieces when we come home feeling defeated.
As a class, there is something we are dying to say.
So class, turn around so you can make eye contact with your
friends and family that have come to see you today.
Now class repeat after me:
“Congratulations! (repeat) YOU
did it! (repeat)”
Many people use analogies to describe what nursing school is
like.
One is that the amount on information we are expected to
take in, is like trying to drink the water coming out of a fire hose.
I have heard the clinical experience compared to being
taught to swim by being thrown into the deep end of the pool.
I think nursing school is like Drivers Ed.
In Drivers Ed we are taught SAFTEY FIRST, and to come to a
full stop, always use our turn signal, and always wear a seat belt. In the skills lab we learned SAFETY FIRST, properly
identify your patient, to always go through the 6 rights of medication
administration, and remember your ABC’s of priority.
In Drivers Ed we are taught the laws, rules, and regulations
of driving. In NUR 222 we are taught the
laws, rules, and regulations of nursing.
In Drivers Ed your instructor sits right there in the
passenger seat guiding you along your way.
In Clinical your instructor stands right there next to you guiding you
along your way.
In Drivers Ed we practice and practice, thinking of every
little step until finally we have done it so much that we coming to a full
stop, using our turn signal, looking both ways, and making a turn like its
second nature. In nursing school we
practice and practice, until finally we have done it so much that we are
checking the IV solution bag, labeling the bag, spiking and hanging the bag,
and programming the pump like its second nature.
After you graduate from Drivers Ed you have to take the test
in order to get your license. The next
step for us after graduation is to take the NCLEX before we are given our
license.
Once we get our license then life is a highway… and our
careers will all go down different roads.
A very wise woman named Ms. Virginia Brittson has been known
to say,
“The best
thing about being a nurse --- is that you get to associate with other
nurses.”
I have found this to
be true.
To be honest class, at first I was intimidated by you.
I looked around on the first day of school realizing how
competitive it is to get into the program and knew that I was in a room full of
VERY smart people. On top of that it was
also a room full of attractive people, and you were all intimidating.
But then I got to know you… J
What I found out once I knew you was that not only are you
guys attractive, and intelligent… but you are also one of the kindest, most
caring, and nurturing group of people I have ever had the honor of associating
with.
I am certain that your big hearts are what drew you into a
career in nursing.
It’s what will make you a good nurse, and what makes you a
great friend.
We live in a world today where evil seems to be more evil
than ever. Terrorist threaten safety at
public events, and even our elementary schools.
I am reminded of something Fred Rogers said.
Quote:
“When I was a boy I would see scary things in the news, my
mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers.
You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster,
I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there
are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”
End Quote.
We are the helpers.
We are an unstoppable force for good.
We are a gentle caring hand.
We are an advocate for the vulnerable.
We are a shoulder to cry on.
We are nurses.
Because I know all you… in the funny blue outfits,
Because I know what is in your minds,
Because I know what is in your hearts,
Because I know who you are,
And Because I know the fabulous women behind me on this
stage,
I can say,
I am proud to be a
NURSE.
Congratulations guys….
WE DID IT!!!!
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