Nursing Program Demands

As exams are quickly approaching I am starting to get a little anxious. I feel like my stress levels have not lowered at any point during the semester. I feel burnt out. Myself and many of the first year nursing students, got Tuesday’s off during the week. However, I have not taken advantage of these numerous days off. Throughout the semester I did homework at most for 2 hours on Tuesday’s and then just simply relaxed and rested. I cannot really blame myself; this is an extremely demanding program. Every Tuesday was my time to unwind and recuperate from the previous week. My weekends could not be my rest period, like a lot of my peers because of my part-time job. I have come to realize how demanding this program really is, and I think it is foreshadowing the type of career nursing is. I guess the demands from this program will truly prepare us for the future.
Figure 1. Nursing Students (n.d). Source: Profile Health

Telehomecare

I believe technology is improving communication barriers in the healthcare system. More specifically, I would like to discuss how it benefits nurses with patients living in remote locations. The innovation of telehomecare and mobile nursing is helping patients who live in rural locations to obtain adequate nursing home care and assistance by the use of telephones and online communication. Although these services cannot provide direct patient care, it is very beneficial for health promotion, teaching, and basic psychosocial evaluations. This type of technology also benefits the nurse by allowing herself or himself to visit and care for many patients in a shorter time span. The technology reduces the amount of time wasted to visit patients in remote areas and in the long run benefiting more people.

Where to Specialize?

I always wonder what specialty of nursing I will go into when I am out of school. I think I will know what I want when I receive experience in my nursing clinical. I do not know the future, but I see myself working as a community health nurse. I do not see myself at the bedside in the hospital four times a week. I see myself on my feet working in the community with families, children, seniors, homeless people, and vulnerable people. I am also very interesting in paediatrics. Maybe I will work at Sick Kids. However, when it is all said and done, I think you need experience to really know what you want to do. Some of us will know what speciality we want as soon as we are done with that clinical experience. Some of us won’t know our calling until many years later. All I know is I am very excited for the future. I invite you to participate in my poll to share with me what specialty you are interested in.
I have posted a video about a public health nurses story.

Thinking About the Future

As a student nurse I am beginning to wonder what type of nurse I will be and what situations I will have to go through and overcome. I cannot help but be terrified. My greatest fear is getting attached to my patients emotionally. I am a sensible ethical person, so I know what my boundaries as a nurse entail. However emotionally, when I come away from a tough situation, how will I be able to cope? For example, say one of my patients is a young girl with a terminal illness in palliative care, or I witness a mother deliver a still born baby, how will I be able to cope? I am afraid that once the experience is finished that I will not be the same person. I am afraid I will be tainted by unpleasant memories and feel empty. How will I be able to go into work every day knowing that I may encounter situations that could change my life? I think as a grow as a nurse and experience things I will learn how to cope, but being as sensitive and emotional as I am, I think letting go will be my most difficult challenge.
Figure 1. Paediatric Nurse (n.d). Source: Mayo Clinic

Introduction

Hello friends, classmates, instructors, and fellow bloggers. My name is Andrea and I am a first year nursing student. I am currently commuting to and from school by bus. It is not the most ideal experience, but it saves a lot of money rather than staying in residence. I have found the nursing program very demanding so far but I am honoured to be a part of such a fast paced program. I believe blogging is a good way to get your feelings and thoughts across, and a good way to meet people with similar interests. I believe it is also a great way to read and learn from others life experiences. I am very excited to start interacting with the online nursing community and look forward to a year of fast paced learning.