I really enjoy paddle surfing. Once or twice in every week, I usually go out, paddle surfing. Each time I would go out I would see this sea lion; he would pop his head out facing me like he was looking at me. I got used to seeing him, I even named him Taki. One day I go out and see Taki but he is doing this weird twisting thing in the water. I paddle over and I see he got a red marine rope made of hemp wrapped around his neck and one of his fins. I freaked out and tried to get it off with my paddle but it did not work. I jumped in the water tried to save him but he disappeared under the water and I never saw him again.
Since this incidence I swore to myself that I was going to study anything related to medicine. I settled to nursing believing and hoping that if Taki ever resurfaced again I would be able to apply my expertise and save him.
Nursing is the profession of providing health care to the needy. Nursing is defined as the shield, marketing and development of health and abilities. Nursing is the deterrence of illness and injuries, through treatment of human response nursing lessen people’s sufferings through diagnosis. Nursing advocates care of individual human beings, their loved ones, societies and the entire population.
. Nursing is a career path chosen by many. Research conducted by Columbia University shows that nursing is one of the fastest growing professions within the United States, with an unemployment rate of only 2% and a median salary of nearly $66,000 each year. Although it’s tougher to enter healthcare industry, holding a nursing degree will make it easier, explains one of the top nursing schools in the nation, Columbia University.
The following will enable one to make it through the rigors of nursing and be best prepare:
Being prepared
The ultimate preparation for any academic related issue is being prepared. Nursing school is a very tasking process and takes a lot of one’s time, therefore, one need to be prepared. Always have the right material for lectures that includes; the right books for different classes and writing materials. Also one need to have a nearby locker to keep the reading materials since nursing school books can be heavy. A calendar, watch and a computer are also part of the preparation. Nursing school entails a lot research and a computer will come in handle.
Being organized
Preparations apply hand in hand with being organized. In order to make it through the rigors nursing school one need to be organized. A ‘To-do’ list is required. One needs to plan in advance how to handle, academic, co-curriculum activities and personal activities, so that you can keep your tasks prioritized. Have a properly planned schedule and allocate each task specific time and keep to it.
Study Habits
Developing a proper study plan will aid one in nursing school. Studying in nursing school is very essential. Reading ahead will help you understand well what is going to be taught in the future. One can identify the priority subjects and define his/her study based on this. That is, prioritize the hard and tasking units in comparison to the easy and less tasking units. Studying ahead has always proven helpful to many people.
Study groups
It’s necessary to bond with other nursing students while in nursing school. One can do this by joining a study group. As the saying goes; people are stronger in numbers. Study groups keep one in check, disciplined. These study groups will assist you in understanding what one does not quite understand in class with the help of other study group members. Study groups are one of the major places for brainstorming in nursing school, since nursing school comes with jargons and very twisted explanations.
Monetary Factor
Monetary factor is also a very big issue in nursing school. The vast majority of people don’t have money saved for college tuition, (Utica, 3). This does not mean you cannot go to nursing school. Most colleges and university have laid up a payment plan for students pursing nursing. For example the Utica College accelerated nursing programs offers several options for nursing students to finance themselves (Utica4). It is advisable for one to prepare financially when joining nursing school in order for one to focus on your studies, instead of worrying about finances.
Overcoming fear
In order for one to succeed in nursing school need not to fear. Most people fear the gigantic books, the complex terminologies, the long learning hours and the practical part of the study of human anatomy. Fear will consume you, if one really wants a career in nursing profession, then one need not let unrealistic fear distract you from the ultimate goal.
Nursing is a female profession.
There are many factors; both social and historical that contributes to nursing being a female profession. For example, Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing practice, promoted the image of nurses as nurturing, subordinate and female (Meadus 12). However this has come to change since there are an equal number of males and female applying to medical school (Magrane & Jolly 5). Nursing school in today’s generation is a place for both male and female, therefore, one should not hold onto the idea that nursing is a female profession.
Volunteerin healthcare.
Volunteering in the health care industry will best prepare someone planning to join nursing school. Most hospitals, clinics and homecare units have voluntary programs. One should volunteer for these programs in order to determine if nursing is a perfect fit for you and also will serve as a great exposure to the career path ahead. By volunteering to these programs one will have a clear picture on what to expect in nursing school.
Healthy lifestyle
Adapting a healthy lifestyle is also a major preparation in nursing school. For a nursing career, one needs to be a great role model to his/her patients. Common habits, such as, excessive drinking of alcohol and smoking cigarettes should be stopped. Going for rehab will aid one in stopping the above habits. Small habits like hands washing after visiting the toilet should also be followed in order to set a good example to your future patients. Most of all avoid stress. In nursing career there is no room for mistakes, a lot of stress may lead to them. Avoiding stress will aid one in nursing school.
Connecting with Nurses in Practice
One should take time to learn what a nursing career entails. One can do this by visiting various hospitals and interviewing different nurses from different hospitals and states. By doing this one can have an insight on what nursing entails in nursing school and what to focus on. This can be done by booking appointments with different nurse and formulating a method of asking questions. For example, formulating of questionnaires and one on one interviews. By connecting with already practicing nurses one can gather much information from these encounters which will be of much help in nursing school.
Positive attitude
Nursing school can be very tasking. Keeping things in the right perspective can help a lot. This will enable one not to give up easily when things get tougher. A positive attitude and a clear point of view will enable one make it in nursing school. Nursing school is very tasking, one will experience ups and downs butwith the right attitude and drive, one will make it.
Remember why you chose nursing.
Lastly and most important point is always keep in mind why you chose nursing career path. The lectures, the books, the assignments can frustrate you a big deal. When you reach this point always remember what drove you to studying nursing in the first place. Taki, the sea lion, is what drove me to nursing school. Taki is my drive and will help me overcome the rigors of nursing school.
Works cited
Magrane, .D, & Jolly, P." The changing representation of men and women in Academic medicine."Analysis in brief, 5,. 2007
"Golden LivingCenters." Nursing careers. 5 Nov. 2007. 5 Nov. 2014 <http://www.goldenlivingcenters.com/careers/Nursing-Careers.aspx>.
Joel. L.A, "Kelly,s Dimensions of professional nursing.".New York. McGraw hill. 2003
Web. 1st ed. 5 Nov. 2014. Utica college. 5 Nov. 2014 <http://uticanursing.com/author/jessie-hansel lorbiseducation-com/page/3/>.
Meadus, Robert J." Men in Nursing.". 2 Aug. 2007. <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1744-6198.2000.tb00998.x/abstract>.
"Nursing world.". 2014. America Nursing Association. <http://www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/What-is-Nursing>.
