Allegrah Nguyen

NUR 4142 Synthesis of Nursing Practice

Final Analysis
For the last two and a half years, I have attended Bon Secours Memorial College of
Nursing (BSMCON) in hopes of making it to graduation day. I am finally weeks out from
obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and cannot be more excited. The journey to
obtaining it has tested my physical, emotional and mental strength. However, through it all
BSMCON has instilled the knowledge and skill training needed to be a successful new graduate.
Since day one BSMCON made sure that regardless of previous education and medical
training they were going to start all of us at the same level together. Classes like Foundations of
Nursing Scholarship and Professional Nursing Concepts, was where I learned the fundamentals
of nursing, and was introduced to NCLEX style questions. Next I learned physical assessments,
and began checking off skills such as obtaining vitals, basic wound care, lab draws etc. The
school slowly began to transition us from performing skills in a simulation lab, to performing it
on a patient in a hospital setting.
The most challenging semester was first semester junior year. It was called boot camp
because that was when the curriculum picked up and it was rumored to weed out a lot of
students. I have to admit, that semester pushed me emotionally and mentally but I believe that I
am a stronger person because of it. Adult Nursing Science I and II was taught with
Pharmacology I and II, which is where I began to think like a nurse. It taught me about disease
processes, medications and nursing interventions and prioritization. Mental Health was the
beginning of the courses becoming more specialized. It exposed me to an unfamiliar side of
nursing, but in the end broadened by communication and listening skills. Additional classes such
as Nursing Informatics, Vulnerable Populations, Professional Role Development was included

that semester to teach the many elements of nursing. It taught me there were many components
of nursing, which included servant leadership, education and technology.
Senior year was the one that I surprisingly enjoyed a lot, not only because I could see the
light at the end of the tunnel, but because the classes were ever more specialized. Classes like
Nursing Care of Women and Childbearing Families, Nursing Care of Children and Families,
Gerontological Concepts and Issues taught me to be open to exploring specialties that I might not
ever see myself doing, and tied in care from every stage of life. Labor and delivery clinical
definitely taught me to think on my feet, because although it is a joyous experience to see a baby
being born, it can become emergent without warning. The curriculum came full circle with
classes like Synthesis of Nursing and Servant Leadership. These classes tied in all components of
our learning experiences while at BSMCON. It also reconfirmed the dedication nurses have in
aspiring to being servant leaders, lifelong learners and practicing from the heart.
Looking back on my time here at Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing, the best
way I can describe the curriculum is it being like a French braid. To begin, you start off with
three small strands of hair at the top of the head, and as you braid down you slowly incorporate
more and more hair into those three strands. By the end of the French braid you are left with the
same three strands but they have grown in size. I started the program with my core values and
beliefs and then with the help of BSMCON slowly incorporated clinical skills, critical thinking,
servant leadership, and therapeutic communication. At the end, I am still the same person but
have gained advance knowledge and an expanded my skills.
BSMCON has not only helped me think like a nurse, but has helped me grow as a person
as well. When I first started I was shy, and would not regularly strike up a conversation with
strangers. Now I am confident and am able to connect with my patients, and talk to members on

an interdisciplinary team. Although our grading scale is different, I have obtained better grades
(numerically) than I did during my first undergraduate degree. I believe in large part that is due
to the class sizes. Each professor knew me by name, and not the seat number I took up. I have
established lasting relationships with my professors, clinical instructors and immersion preceptor.
It saddens me to know that I am leaving a place that has done so much for me, but am excited for
the next chapter in my life.
Looking ahead to after graduation, I plan on continuing to magnify my critical thinking
and skills. I want to become proficient at prioritizing care, time management, doing skills and
documenting. The beauty of nursing is that there is never a day where I am going to know
everything. Every hospital, every patient and every encounter will broaden my knowledge and
develop my critical thinking. I want to push myself outside of my comfort zone, and to jump on
an opportunity to see and/or assist in something I have never done before. Eventually, I would
like to pursue and advanced practice degree and go back to school to get my masters. I have been
given the foundation and understanding of what it takes to be a nurse, and I am excited to
continue to grow and learn. I cannot thank Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing for all
they have done for me. I hope to make them proud to have me as an alumni.