Last semester of our Nursing Program

            Prior to becoming a student in the nursing program, I’ve had previous work experience communicating with clients - as an independent financial advisor, a certified wedding planner and a unit coordinator at the Montreal Neurological Hospital.  In the humble career of nursing, I believe being knowledgeable, having confidence, integrity and a good self-esteem plays a role, as an individual or as a team player.   My strength is the ability to communicate - Talking and especially listening are extremely important in the nursing program, where poor communication could be detrimental in this career. My favourite clinical settings were obstetrics and pediatrics because of my serious interest in pregnancy and children. When caring for our patients, it can never be assumed that they have other resources or support, so it’s important that they receive excellent care and education directly from us.  Whether we’re working in geriatrics, psychiatry, or pediatrics, we are trusted with someone’s health or illness, or someone’s parent, someone’s spouse, or someone’s child. We explain things in a “nice” way however we are not to give false reassurance.  We encourage our patients to say how they feel while observing their non-verbal cues.  My plan as their nurse is to give individualized care to each patient, rather than generalizing patients according to their diagnoses.

            Last year, when I found out that I was pregnant, a part of me was disappointed that I cried because I wanted to graduate with my class at the end of the year.  One year later, here I am back at school and blessed with a healthy 8 month-old baby girl in my life. At the end of last semester, another obstacle came in my way – my husband was admitted in the hospital due to inflammation of the pituitary gland. He had an endoscopic trans-sphenoidal biopsy of the pituitary gland.  They’ve been investigating him since March and he is still not diagnosed. Therefore, I am now taking care of my husband, my 4 year old son and my 1 year old daughter at home.  It’s quite exhausting to try and juggle anything that comes my way and be successful at everything, but I always strive to try my best.  Over the weekend, both my kids were under observation for respiratory issues and (undiagnosed) asthma (due to their young age) so I know that the healthcare team needs to deal, not only with sick kids but also, with their worrisome parents.  As the mother in this family, I am so grateful to “connect the dots” and understand the physicians when they speak about the medical issues of my family members.   Oftentimes, I think that I was meant to be in the nursing program as a mature student because my past experiences definitely help me while communicating with others and be resilient. 

            Even though I was born in Montreal, I don’t speak French fluently and find it difficult to explain or educate my patients as thoroughly, as I do to my English patients.  I know that it’s something I need to improve in.  Since I’m returning into the nursing program, in my mind, my goal is to quickly refresh my nursing vocabulary, to learn and do as many technical skills as possible, in order to become confident working at the bedside.  For the following week, I plan to be organized with a nursing care plan for the day for each patient, read up on the diagnosis’ and watch videos of nursing skills to be done.

            One thing I’ve noticed among nursing students is that most of us already have genuine thoughts of care and concern, do acts of kindness, and unselfishly give ourselves to others, as though it’s a pre-requisite to be in this program. They say that the nursing career is very rewarding and I can finally understand that first-hand.  It’s so nice to be told by patients and their families that they appreciate the care, the education and the comfort I’ve provided for them during their stay, so far.  I definitely feel like I’m in my element.  Aside from working diligently for my exams and my term papers, I know I will be closer to achieving my goal when I succeed in my clinical rotations in the 6^th semester, as well.  

Jasmine's 1st Birthday {Hello Kitty}