Final Analysis

In reflection on my nursing school journey, I honestly feel so many different mixes of

emotions. While each semester in the beginning felt so long and graduation felt so far away; I am

now here at the end of this journey with a month left before graduation. These three years have

been packed with so much change; newfound knowledge, acquired skills, and personal and

professional growth. Everything happens for a reason and I am so thankful to have answered the

call to nursing. I remember answering the calling to nursing and feeling like my purpose finally

made sense. That evening I received my admission letter for Bon Secours Memorial College of

Nursing, I was filled with so much joy. I now continue that feeling of joy in reading my offer

letter to continue working at Bon Secours St Marys. I will begin my next journey as a new nurse

on their Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU). I plan to spend the next couple of years there before

perusing my interest in obstetrics. Along the way, no matter where I work, my goal is to improve

myself so I can improve the lives of those we serve.

When I first began in the nursing program, I was a true novice. I was nervous, lacked

confidence in my assessment skills, and had plenty of room for growth in skills and knowledge. I

now can independently assess and care for patients with minor cues from a mentor. As it relates

to Benners nursing theory I see myself between novice and advance beginner. I see myself as a

novice because I will be a new graduate and there are still plenty of situation I have yet to

experience. I also see myself as an advanced beginner because I have had many experiences

already and I can have acquired skills that are past the novice stage. Compared to when I first

started, my critical thinking skills have tremendously grew more than I ever expected. I can now

not only assess a patient, but interrupt that data and apply appropriate interventions confidently.

Lastly, we were always told to listen to our nursing intuition and not to worry because we will
soon develop one. I am proud to say that I have develop that nursing sixth sense. Though I might

not always be able to point out what is exactly wrong with the picture, I can tell that something is

off and assessment and intervention is need.

An excert from my philosophy paper best reflects my values and changes in attitude and

beliefs:

I have noticed the changes between the beginning and now are not changes in my

character and values, but in my personal approach and attitude. Key values of mine that have

never changed are compassion, integrity, trust, courage, quality care, kindness, and

nonjudgmental attitudes. I have not lost any enthusiasm either, but I am more humbled than

before. One change I have made is recognizing that true learning is more than studying the

concepts and facts within textbooks. In this program, I have learned empathy over sympathy, and

to listen not respond, but to be present and therapeutic. Nursing has taught me the meaning of

servant leadership and it inspires me to be not only a better nurse but also a better person. I have

seen and experienced true nursing presence and that it is just as powerful, if not more, than

words themselves. Becoming a nurse is an honored opportunity in which I am an active part of

others lives. I began answering this calling to fulfill a self-desire to care for others. The true

learning is realizing this calling is not about ourselves, but about selfless devotion to service.

Though I have survived nursing school, and not just any program but the BSMCON

program, I know this much more growth to gain ahead of me. I have always had the help and

support from instructors and preceptors, so to think of being on my own as a new nurse is scary.

I know however, that I am not alone and to never be afraid to ask for help. Orientation is the

perfect opportunity to acquire more skills, knowledge, experiences, and seek the guidance and

direction of a mentor. I will continue to seek opportunities for growth through skill fairs,
committee meetings, and working full time to gain much need experience to move forward.

When it comes to gaining experience, it takes time to acquire more experiences and will be my

step that takes the longest.

I have many goals that I would like to accomplish as I grow into an experienced nurse. I

would like learn Spanish so that I may be a translator to help a vulnerable population whose

primary language is not English. Becoming a Spanish translator will contribute to lifelong

learning and cultural competence. Secondly, I have an interest in patient education and plan to be

involved in the educational council at St Marys. I think it would be a great opportunity to serve

the Richmond community if nurses could volunteer to go out to health fairs and other events to

teach the public about their health. My vision is to have an information booth in which nurses

can teach and share resources to improve public health. Lastly, I absolutely loved my clinical,

externship, and immersion experience on Mother/Infant Unit and Labor and Delivery. I have a

great desire to specialize in that field of nursing. I find that it is my strongest passion and

aspiration to work in those units. My end goal would be to work in the NICU and contribute to

research to improve patient outcomes for those tiny, little blessings.