[fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Never did I ever expect to join nursing at a tender age of 16 years. Back in January 2014, I was a fresh ‘O’ level graduate, not knowing which polytechnic and course to choose from. As I flipped through the different prospectuses to see the courses offered, nursing caught my eye. Hence, I decided to apply for it, as I felt that it was something that not many people would want to do. I enrolled in Nanyang Polytechnic’s (NYP) nursing programme.
When I attended the orientation and met my new classmates, I could honestly say that I felt discouraged. Approximately half of my classmates had previous nursing experience. Some were enrolled Nurses and top scorers at ITE nursing, while others were scholarship holders from other countries. I started to worry as I did not have any nursing or even first aid background prior to my entry to nursing. As such, I worked very hard in school so that I could catch up with the rest of my classmates.
It will be a lie if I say that my first clinical posting was a smooth one. On the contrary, I struggled badly during the first hospital attachment. I was not prepared for the actual ward environment. I was not used to the ward layout and routine, and I was unsure on how to communicate with my patients and fellow nursing colleagues effectively. As a teenager who was quite sheltered, I had to learn to grow up fast and think on my feet so that I could survive in the hectic hospital environment with many patients demanding for attention or care.
As time went by, I became more confident in carrying out the various nursing care skills and communicating with the people around me, be it nursing colleagues, patients, lecturers or peers. Soon, my love for nursing and interest to help people around me grew rapidly as I proceeded to more clinical postings.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Nursing has changed me for the better. From a sheltered and timid person who was unable to control emotions and temperament well, I became more confident, outspoken and better able to manage my emotions. I was also able to communicate more effectively and manage conflicts well. Being in nursing has also taught me to keep an open mind in everything I did. At times, things did not go as planned and I had to think of alternative solutions to respond as fast and best as I could so as not to jeopardize patients’ lives.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”#” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
“I had to learn to grow up fast and think on my feet,”
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]I will be graduating next year and it will be a new beginning for me of my nursing career. I am definitely looking forward to what my future nursing career has to offer. Nursing has become my way of life and I am always proud to tell people that I am a nursing student doing what I love. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” This path will make me stronger and more resilient; one that will prepare me to take on any challenges in life.
Rae Wong Su Min
Student Nurse, Year 3
Nanyang Polytechnic
This article was published in Issue No 14 (May 2016 – August 2016) of the SNA Connect – Our Nurses, Our Future.
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