I was very grateful for my job. It was the way I payed my mortgage, put food on the table, and afforded somewhat of a comfortable life, but it was time to go.
Today, I can officially say that I am nursing student. This first week I was a nervous, excited, and overwhelmed. Walking into lecture, I felt comforted seeing a wide age range of students. There's something about diversity that makes me feel relaxed. The instructors are all Registered Nurses, with teaching accreditation. Love that. Some of them are even graduates of the school.
Our first assignment on the floor was about Professional Communication. My first patient was talkative which made it easy for me. We asked the patient a few questions and observed their verbal & nonverbal response. We also had to be aware of our personal contributions to the conversation (appearance, body language, tone, etc.) and how that plays a role in communicating. Being an introvert, I didn't realize how many people simply long for someone to talk to, even if it's a complete stranger.
This is just the beginning and I have a lot to learn, but I'm also grateful for this opportunity and plan on making the most of it.
