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.