As the oldest of nine, I have experienced the joy of welcoming a new sibling into the world eight times. New birth never ceases to amaze me as I look down at their tiny little hands and feet and marvel that something so small can be so perfect. The wonder of new life never gets old to me, and that is why I am interested in studying about it. No matter how many textbooks I read, I am always amazed! When Mom was pregnant with the twins, I looked up every resource I could find to explain the process of how identical twins are formed. I never really found an explanation, other than the fact that their birth was a miracle! After conception, one fertilized egg splits into two individual eggs with identical genetic information but completely individual personalities, hearts, minds, and bodies. Isn't that incredible?! God is amazing...
One of the things I love about the nursing program I am in is that it exposes us to every area of nursing. I had no interest in the psychiatric or emergency medicine fields, but I am thankful that I got to work in both areas during my clinicals. I am still very drawn to OB or peds, but I have tried to keep an open mind as I explore the different nursing fields!
Geriatrics: a field I wasn't sure how I would feel about, but ended up loving! I met a woman at one of my clinicals who was over 90 and attended a balance class every single week. Her coordination was incredible, and it blew my mind to see how she had taken care of her body throughout the years! She reminded me of my great-grandmother who was always working on some sort of project and keeping herself constantly busy. She was self-sufficient up until the last several weeks of her life and brought such joy to everyone who knew her. Simply listening to the older adults we were around in our clinicals was an amazing experience. Their life stories were so rich and full, and we all learned so much. As hard and sad as it was to see life begin to take its toll on many of the sicker older adults, it felt like a privilege to be able to help them in their last days and to be able to serve them in the ways they had so selflessly served others during their lifetime.
Med-Surg: The med-surg clinicals allowed us to see a wide variety of patients. I think the coolest part about these clinicals was seeing the coordination between all of the members of the care team. They did a phenomenal job integrating the patients' physical, psychological, and emotional needs as the client's stay through the hospital progressed. Discharging patients when they were ready to go never grew old. They were always so full of joy and excitement!
Psychiatric: The psychiatric ward was an area of nursing I faced with dread and fearful anticipation. I have written an entire post on my clinical experience, so I won't go into much detail here. I will say the biggest struggle I faced in my mental health clinicals was the feelings of helplessness I faced when I encountered certain clients. Sometimes there are no prescriptions or medical interventions which will heal the internal brokenness some of these people are fighting. It is so, so hard, but it is also a field that can be incredibly exciting, rich, and rewarding. It takes a special kind of person to work in the psychiatric units. I learned through my clinicals that it won't be me, but how thankful I am that God has given other people these gifts!
Critical Care: The ED and ICU were some of the coolest places we got to work in. Two totally different environments: one of organized chaos, constantly fast-paced, exciting, and full of new challenges every moment...the other precise, detailed, immensely complicated requiring full attention to one particular patient. Of the two, I definitely enjoyed the ED the most. There was always something to learn and do, and I got to practice more clinical skills than I had ever performed before. I have learned that I do far better with variety and excitement in my work, though I am not sure I could handle the fast-pace of the ED every single shift! Critical care taught me an enormous amount about the intricate balance of life. The tiniest change in medication or shift in oxygenation can cause the body to completely fall apart. It is scary, but also incredible to see how such sick, sick people can walk out of that hospital after the most careful care. Again, it just goes to show how amazing God has made our bodies to be!
Pediatrics: What a joy it is to take care of patients while they are little! I love seeing a child go from listlessly lying on their mom's lap to joyfully bouncing around their hospital room. I love laughing with them, playing silly games with them as I take care of them, or simply making them smile. There is nothing better than discharging a child home and seeing the happiness in their eyes. Nursing is more rewarding to me each and every day.
Obstetrics: What a wonder and privilege it is to be present at the beginning of a person's entry into the world. I have trouble thinking of anything more real, raw, and intimate than childbirth. It is full of immense amounts of pain and hard work, but there is nothing like the look of awe and overwhelming love on a mother's face when you hand her the baby she has been carrying for the very first time. I had a mom ask me, "How can I possibly love something so much that I have only known for a couple of hours? He already has my heart..." Life is truly a beautiful gift.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others..."
My clinicals and precepting experiences have been incredible. I am so thankful for every opportunity I have had! I am so very blessed by the rich support I have received from my family and friends. Thank you to my parents for encouraging me to pursue my passion. Thank you to my siblings for letting me sleep (at least a little)! after my night shifts. Thank you to my sweet boyfriend for supporting me unconditionally and always being ready to talk, even if it is 3 in the morning during my break. Thank you to my church family for praying for me and investing in me through this time of my life. I truly hope that I will be able to encourage and serve others each and every day as a nurse. This has been a crazy journey so far, but I wouldn't give it up for anything!!
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