I am currently sitting on my bed being 100% nostalgic.
So, I am the head over the small committee which is putting together a picture slideshow for our pinning ceremony.
And instead of doing one of the numerous things which inhabit my 'to-do' list, I have chosen for the past 30 minutes to just look through pictures of the past two years.
If you asked me to pick one picture, or make a small collage of my favorite pictures from nursing school, I would not be able to do it.
There are so many memories that the past two years hold; memories of numerous challenges I had to face to get to where I am today; memories of intense stress moments which, more than not, led to streams of tears; memories of friendships filled with laughter, openness and honesty.
If you asked me to pick my favorite memory from nursing school, I would not be able to do it.
There are so many people I have met throughout this crazy, chaotic, but amazing journey I have had the honor of taking these past two years. I have met practicing nurses who have showed me what nursing truly is; I have met nurses who have showed me what nursing should never be.
I have met nursing faculty who have become more like mentors and stand-in parents who understand the challenges of nursing school; I give them hugs and talk to them about my problems and concerns, knowing the heart behind their advice and encouragement.
I have met fellow nursing colleagues who very quickly turned into what we call 'the nursing family,' who shares not only classes but also smiles and laughter and tears and burdens. I walked into nursing school, accepting the false reality that I would be a complete loner and there was no possible way I would ever get close to these people within the next two years of spending 24/7 with them. There is not one thing I have ever thought that has been more false; it took less than 10 weeks to realize the impact these relationships made within nursing school would forever take affect on who I am.
If you asked me to pick my favorite memory from nursing school, I would not be able to do it.
There are so many people I have met throughout this crazy, chaotic, but amazing journey I have had the honor of taking these past two years. I have met practicing nurses who have showed me what nursing truly is; I have met nurses who have showed me what nursing should never be.
I have met nursing faculty who have become more like mentors and stand-in parents who understand the challenges of nursing school; I give them hugs and talk to them about my problems and concerns, knowing the heart behind their advice and encouragement.
I have met fellow nursing colleagues who very quickly turned into what we call 'the nursing family,' who shares not only classes but also smiles and laughter and tears and burdens. I walked into nursing school, accepting the false reality that I would be a complete loner and there was no possible way I would ever get close to these people within the next two years of spending 24/7 with them. There is not one thing I have ever thought that has been more false; it took less than 10 weeks to realize the impact these relationships made within nursing school would forever take affect on who I am.
If you asked me to pick only one thing I have learned from nursing school, I would not able to do it.
Not only have I learned so much from the people I have met over the course of the past two years, I have learned so much from my experiences, both good and bad.
I have learned how to not get embarrassed so easily, and to wear enough makeup that if I do get embarrassed, my face turning red won't be so noticeable. I have learned how to actively listen, although not interrupting someone when talking about a topic of which I am passionate is still a work-in-progress. I have learned how to enjoy life in the midst of a chaotic and stressful environment; I have learned how to choose to allow painful situations to aid personal growth. I have learned how to love in a way I never knew was possible.
I have gained a new perspective.
I have gained forever-friends.
I have learned the burden of hard challenges and used these challenges to change me into the person I am today.
I could not be more thankful for the past two years spent running up, what has seemed, like an up-hill battle.
My journey is far from over and there will be plenty of more challenges I must face.
But, for now, I choose to enjoy the last few weeks of organized chaos that, in the end, have been such a beautiful mess.
This week, my Facebook feed has been overloaded with statuses that make my heart overjoyed. It is such a beautiful thing to celebrate along side each other the victories each and everyone of us has overcome. In life, there will be those who act as if they are happy for whatever success finds you in the present, when really, they are jealous and wish your successes to be theirs. It is overwhelmingly freeing to truly be delighted in the victory of others.
