I’m assuming you got into nursing school, and if you’re reading this five years from now, you should be graduating in a week or so. I know there have been times when you’ve doubted going into nursing, and I bet you’ve doubted sticking to it, but I’m proud of you for doing it. There’s a stigma going into nursing school that it’s near impossible to pass, and you will have no social life. I hope you were able to maintain a school-life balance, and I hope in these next few months of finding a job, you are able to live a little and work hard.
Right now I am concerned about the transition you’re about to face: going from college to a postgrad job. I did a project to hopefully prepare you a little better for a job than school does. Remember, I asked a bunch of nurses for their tips and tricks that school doesn’t teach them, and here they are:
#1 – Always listen to a patient. Listen to them talk about their life, day, or even what they had for breakfast. ALWAYS be kind and show respect. Even if the patient is being difficult, mean, and disrespectful, it doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Going out of your way just to be a little nicer and a little more respectful can make a huge difference; remember how you learned that in your clinicals? You’d be surprised; a simple smile means more than you think.
#2 – Most nurses you talked to had been in that profession for over 15 years or at least are planning to do so. So please, if working gets hard, remember the passion that caused you to start it, and hold onto that during the hard times.
#3 – Losing a patient is inevitable, but remember that death is a part of life, and you are just helping them along their journey. Allow yourself time and space to process this, and surround yourself with people who may understand what it’s like or people you know can make you feel better, like family, friends, and coworkers.
#4 – No matter if it’s good or bad, cherish the experience you get because it will help shape you into the nurse you’ll be. Putting yourself out there is the only way to get as much experience as you can.
#5 – Volunteer for everything you can, and if you don’t know how to do something, just confidently ask.
#6 – No one is judging you for not knowing a skill or a piece of information, but they will judge you if you try to practice the skill without total confidence in your abilities.
So wherever you are now—whether you’re anxious about your first real job, exhausted from a long shift, or taking a quiet moment to reflect on everything that has brought you to this point—I hope you’re proud of yourself. You’ve come a long way from where I’m writing this now, and you’ve worked hard to earn every step. You’ve survived the stress, the sleepless nights, and the self-doubt, and you’ve done it with compassion, grit, and a smile on your face.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Let your sensitive heart feel every amplified emotion. Let it get hurt, let it feel joy, and let it care deeply, but always remember to protect your peace. Keep up your passion for learning (it doesn’t end when you graduate). Learn through gaining experience in both nursing and life, the mistakes you make, and the battles you win. NEVER lose sight of why you started. You’re not just becoming a nurse, but you’re becoming the kind, caring, and respectful nurse that patients call out to for help. The specific one that patients ask for because of how comforted and welcome you make them feel. And hopefully the one that will make a difference in the lives of others. Even if it’s only one person whose life you change, it’s that impact that matters more than anything.
With all my hope and pride,
Your 11th grade, 17-year-old self
