That’s a weird statement, isn’t it? Most people hear of nursing school as being an extremely difficult time in a person’s life who has chosen such a career (which is true; it’s tough). But here’s another truth : I love being a student nurse.
And while I know my time as a student is brief (one year down, one year to go!), I truly look forward to my future career as a nurse, wherever it may take me. Some of you may know that I would love to be a midwife someday or if I don’t make it that far, I’d be happy doing good ol’ labor & delivery. I have other ideas of where I’d like to head, but the one common theme with nursing is caring for others. I love that part.
I know nurses get burnt out and as a student, I’m exhausted. My brain is tired. My body is tired. My bank account is pitiful. My car has so many miles on it that it shouldn’t have. I miss my family and friends. I see my classmates more than I do my own family sometimes. But it’s so worth it. And it’s a good thing I have such an awesome class
One great perk of being a student nurse, and I know I won’t have this perk once I’m am RN, is that I get to spend more time with just one or maybe two patients at a time. Although I rush around and am super busy some days, I know that I have the benefit of actually spending time with my patients.
If you’ve been following my blog since last fall, you’ll know that one of my earliest experiences as a student then was that I had the chance to sit and hold the hand of a dying patient. A classmate and I were with her when she took her last breath. I read to her her last verse, about encouragement and feeling no more pain. It was a sad, but very rewarding experience. I can’t quite explain it, but I know I’ll always hold that memory in a special place of my heart.
As a student, I able to really connect with my patients and even their families. I’ve been an advocate and a listening ear, as well a small fountain of knowledge. I am able to take my time with my patient, which benefits both of us!
It’s not an arrogant feeling in that I am helping someone because I am able to do so, but it’s knowing that I made a person feel better, whether it’s physically, mentally, emotionally, or even spiritually. But I think that that is one reason why we’re placed here on Earth; to help those in need!
I know my blog has slowly developed into a slightly more beauty related sphere and whatnot, but I always want to be able to share my time as a student and everything. While I love makeup and what it can do to boost a persons self-confidence, I love even more the fact that as a human, I can help another in their time of need, weakness, and vulnerability and help them improve their quality of life.
The one thing I do not look forward to as an RN is that I know my time will be all the more precious yet constricted when I have more patients and more things to get done. But I know I’ll still make a difference in a person’s life. Right now, I enjoy that I get to know a person, I get to learn of a time that is past. I don’t see just a patient, but a person who lived a wonderful life. I once had the chance to take care of a World War II veteran that commanded tanks when we landed at Normandy. I mean, how cool is that? I thanked him for his service and we both got tears in our eyes. Before I left, he held my hand and thanked me. He said I was the one good thing in his day while I was there. I know he meant it in the sweetest way; I’ll always remember him, too.
Each person I encounter is unique and special. I love that.
If you’re wondering why I took such a turn today in my weekly blog, it’s a poem a classmate read today before we all hit the floor at a precious nursing home. I am unsure as to who authored it, but it’s clever yet eye-opening piece of poetry. It’s simple, yet it makes you think. Hope you enjoy it
Poem By A Cranky Old Man
what do you see nurses? what do you see?
what are you thinking when you’re looking at me?
a cranky old man not very wise,
uncertain of habit with faraway eyes?
who dribbles his food and makes no reply
when you say in a loud voice, “do wish you’d try!”
who seems not to notice the things that you do.
and forever is losing a sock or shoes?
who, resisting or not lets you do as you will,
with bathing and feeding the long days to fill?
is that what you’re thinking? is that what you see?
then open your eyes, nurse you’re not looking at me.
i’ll tell you who i am as i sit here so still.
as i do you’re biddings as i eat at your will.
i’m a small child of ten with a father and a mother,
brothers and sisters who love one another
a young boy of sixteen with wings on his feet
dreaming that soon now a lover he’ll meet
a groom soon at twenty my heart gives a leap;
remembering, the vows that i promised to keep!
at twenty-five, now i have young of my own.
who need me to guide them and have a secure happy home.
a man of thirty my young ones grown fast,
bound to one another with ties that should last.
at forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
but my woman is beside me to see i don’t mourn.
at fifty, once more babies play ’round my knee,
again, we see children my loved one and me.
dark days are upon my my wife is now dead.
i look at the future i shudder with dread.
since my young are now busy with young of their own.
and i think of the years and the love that i’ve known.
i’m not an old man and nature is cruel…
to make an elder citizen look like a fool.
the body, it crumbles grace and vigor, depart.
there is now only a stone where i once had a heart.
but inside this old carcass a young man still dwells,
and now and again my battered heart swells
i remember the joys i remember the pain.
and i’m loving and living life once again.
i think of the years: all too few and gone too fast.
and accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
so open your eyes, people, open and SEE;
look closer to see NOT a cranky old man…
see ME!!
So that’s it.. I hope you enjoyed it
xo, Briana
p.s. Feel free to leave questions or comments below about my experience (so far) in nursing school… I’d love to hear your thoughts