My Reflection

 Reflection is part of the nursing profession which encourages nurses to reflect on events and learning experiences that were most beneficial to them (Coward, 2019). Reflection is a way to think about the gaps in one’s learning and practice and explore the link between connecting theory and practice as a way of knowing and doing (Patel & Metersky, 2022). 

I begin my reflection by going back to my beginning. When I graduated high school in 1991, my career goal was to become a Registered Nurse. Unfortunately, I was not able to follow this path due to influences in my life at the time, including nurses mostly being employed in the United States. I ended up enjoying a very fulfilling career in the customer service sector for 25 years. During this time I was in a management role, which included communication, customer satisfaction and collaboration with others. When this chapter of my life closed, I knew I needed to find another career that would be satisfying. What has always attracted me to nursing is my love of people and looking after others. I want to make a difference in people’s lives, including when they are faced with some of their darkest moments. I was also encouraged by the current nursing shortage, knowing that I would have job opportunities after graduation. My passion for helping others has led to me choosing compassion as one of my core values.

Going back to school at 50 years old has not been an easy transition for me. Mature students often struggle with advances in technology which affect areas such as referencing, completing assignments and studying (Christensen & Craft, 2021). I can certainly attest to this fact, as technology and learning how assignments are now to be completed has been the biggest challenge for me. Another concern as a mature student is the anxiety that the schooling could be a one-and-only chance, with not enough time to pursue other options should the student fail (Christensen & Craft, 2021). Even though I share these concerns, I have worked hard and continue to learn how to excel in ways that are new to me, which has contributed to my core value of accountability.

I find it promising that students preparing for a second career typically are very motivated and excel in learning and clinical practice, as well as having the opportunity to demonstrate their transferable skills (Rainbow & Steege, 2019). I certainly share this same motivation when I think about my future as a nurse. Although our first semester has just skimmed the surface of the knowledge to be learned, I do have concerns that I could do something inadvertently that would harm a patient, such as a medication error. I am a very moral and honest person and am confident my value of integrity will always prevail in every action of my nursing practice. I intend to advocate for the safety of my patients, colleagues and myself, which will promote a safe environment and empower myself and others to be confident and successful (Hanson et al., 2020).

As my first semester comes to an end, I reflect on the challenges I have experienced and the goals I have set for myself. I appreciate the opportunities I have been given and look forward to being able to explore my link between connecting theory and practice as a way of knowing and doing (Patel & Metersky, 2022). 

Christensen, M., & Craft, J. (2021). “Gaining a new sense of me”: Mature students' experiences of under-graduate nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 96(Complete). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2020.104617

Coward, M. (2019. Importance of reflection in revalidation.  Nursing Management (2014+), 26(2), 37-41. https://doi.org/10.7748/nm.2019.e1839

Hanson, J., Walsh, S., Mason, M., Wadsworth, D., Framp, A., & Watson, K. (2020). ‘Speaking up for safety’: A graded assertiveness intervention for first year nursing students in preparation for clinical placement: Thematic analysis. Nurse Education Today, 84(Complete). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2019.104252

Patel, K. M., & Metersky, K. (2022). Reflective practice in nursing: A concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge, 33(3), 180–187. https://doi.org/10.1111/2047-3095.12350

Rainbow, J. G., & Steege, L. M. (2019). Transition to practice experiences of first‐ and second‐career nurses: A mixed‐methods study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(7–8), 1193–1204. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14726

My goal since I started nursing school was to obtain a consolidation and, hopefully, employment in the ER at PRHC. I have requested medical-surgical for my pre-consolidation and look forward to starting my learning on acute skills this semester. I hope to strengthen my skills and learn new ones to achieve my goal. I must be the best nurse I can be and care for people with a person-centred, culturally safe approach, making them feel the best they can while in my care.