For as long as I can remember, I have been overwhelmed with a longing desire to care for

those in need, which ultimately led me to the career choice of nursing. I feel most fulfilled when
I serve and care for others, and my nursing attitude is centered on compassion and service.
Nursing is more than a job; more than treating the sick, it is a model of care and service to others,
and it is constantly evolving. The nature of care revolves around a commitment to public service
and an undeniable desire to help people in need. In my opinion, the main aspects of care include
disease prevention, treatment of sick people, health promotion, and personal care. To be a nurse
in many ways is like being a missionary. Nurses demonstrate the love of God through caring
about the whole person. Nursing recognizes that a person is not simply their illness. As a nursing
student and future nurse, I realize that this field is a lifelong learning experience and it would be
my honor to serve in this capacity if made available to me.
Over the last three years of nursing school, I have created new friendships, and memories
and learned to rely on my professors to help me gain understanding and create a nurse mindset.
During my time at Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing, I got involved in different student
organizations to help me connect with others who are experiencing the journey called “nursing
school”. Looking back at how being a part of the College Ambassador program, Student Nurse
Association, and Global Outreach program has given me multiple opportunities to be a leader.
A practicum memory that I reflect on when I need a reminder of the reason I started my
journey to be a nurse occurred during my junior 2 semester. I was caring for a patient who was
on isolation precautions. When any staff member would need to enter the room it required us to
put on proper protection equipment (PPE), if you have ever needed to gown, glove, mask, and
goggles you know that is not a simple task. While responding to their call light, the patient made
a comment asking “Who are you again?” I responded “Your student nurse” We got to talking and
they said today is my third day being in the hospital, and the staff doesn’t come in my room often
or respond to my needs when I press the button. Thank you for taking the extra time to put on
that “costume” also known as the PPE and helping me out. You are going to be a great future
nurse, I can tell that you are passionate about the work you do. Little did they know that just
before I entered their room, I was slightly annoyed that they called out, because of how
time-consuming it is to get “dressed up”.
The most challenging semester was my junior 1 semester, the responsibilities, workload,
and class schedule were a significant difference compared to the previous semester. In my junior
1 semester, I was introduced to part one of Adult Nursing Science and Pathopharmacology. I had
to reevaluate the way I managed my time, studied, and relied on others (classmates/faculty).
Simultaneously that semester, I started to discover what it meant to critically think and to learn
how to develop that mindset. During my junior semester, I felt like a “real” nurse, from the skills
that I was being taught, learning how to document, and watching my confidence bloom.
As I am about to graduate from nursing school and closer to being a registered nurse, I am even
more committed to caring for the underserved population. Bon Secours Memorial College of
Nursing has helped me grow not only as a nurse but as a person. I value the education that I have
received and am confident that I am prepared for future highs and lows.