Monday, May 5, 2008

What I Learned in my First Year of Nursing School...

So, I've been promising this post for quite some time now. I know everyone has just been sitting by the computer for the last month awaiting this in intense anticipation. Some people say the anticipation is the best part though ;-). ANYWAYS, a little update before I start... I've been so busy since I've been home. The first couple days I got here, I just wanted to lay around and be with my family.. so no post... and then Thursday I started my new job. That morning though... I went and waited for an hour and half in the rain and a huge crowd of people to meet our former president, Bill Clinton, who in my opinion was one of the best presidents of all time... but I don't talk politics on this blog.This is how close I got to him.

Okay... so back to the topic of this post.


What I learned in my first year of nursing school.

When I first arrived at Wesleyan and got all my stuff moved in, and my parents and Matt drove off... a little bit of excitement and a lot of sadness came over me. I was overwhelmed... but at the same time I was ecstatic for what was to come. I started unpacking and getting to know my new roommate about the school and the nursing program and people... I started to feel a little less worried and more excited. I was ready to get to know people and make new friends. I did make friends this past year, but I learned a life lesson. Sometimes I tend to change who I am in little ways to get to be better friends with people. It's not a bad thing I guess everyone does it in some way or another, whether they want to admit it or not. I found it really hard to get to know people at Wesleyan this past year. It's almost as if you have to be in a sorority or fraternity to make friends... but even with that it's almost as if you are buying your friends (sorry to those who are in sororities and fraternities out there reading this). That's just the way I feel about it. I don't want to have to pay a lot of money to sing songs and be out all hours of the night just to hope that these girls accept me?! No thanks!

I learned a lot about being a nurse as well. I knew that nursing school was going to be hard... but I had NO IDEA it was going to be as hard as it actually is. I cried so many times in the 8 months I was at school from being stressed out and overwhelmed with work. I don't believe I have ever cried that much in my entire life. I learned a lot medically, I learned a lot about compassion and being culturally competent. I learned a lot of procedures and what I'll be doing as a nurse. I learned to jump at the opportunity to do something and not be afraid to try new things.

Mostly, I learned a lot about myself. I finally figured out that I don't need people to make me happy. I tend to be easily offended and easily get upset. I don't like conflict. I hate the thought of someone not liking me, but I've learned that is not important. It doesn't matter if people don't accept me as long as I am being myself. I made so many great christian friends at Wesleyan. At first I wasn't very involved with CRU, and for awhile I thought there was no Christians on campus to be found. I started going to more CRU events, and I made so many amazing friends. I miss them already this summer. They are so great! They encouraged me in my faith, held me accountable, and Lauren even tried to whip me into shape physically! LOL! I just love her! Ginny held me accountable and we talked many late nights. She's so great!

These are just a few things I have thought of while planning out this blog. I've been pondering all these things I've learned for awhile now, and I'm sure I'm not thinking of everything.. but so far this is what I have thought of.

I know I have a lot more to learn in the next 2 years of Nursing School... and there will be good times and some low points.. but I know that in the end it will all be worth it. I know that in the end, I will be doing something that I can make an impact on someones day and help others. That is what matters.



In other news.... I got my hair ALL cut off. It's REALLY short! The shortest it's been in years. I love it! I will post a picture later.. I haven't taken one yet with my camera and right now it's lookin' AWFUL... so I'll get on that later!

I have the day off from work today.. so I'm headed to GOODWILL and then going on a date with Matt tonight! FINALLY! :-) Mexican and going to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall! :-) YAY!!!


1 comment:

anna joy said...

how exciting, another chapter in your life :) God is so faithful to bring christian friends into our lives at the right times to encourage and keep accountable, he is so sweet to us!! Good luck with all your ventures this year!