“You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”
– Dr. Seuss
Summer is finally here and so is Term 3 of the Licensed Practical Nursing program at Stenberg. The journey has been nothing short of travelling through peaks and valleys in this program since beginning in October, but I am enjoying every class and cannot wait to start working as a nurse.
Going back to school has been a big transition for me, having given up a full-time job. However, I decided to make a change in my life and focus on a career in healthcare, and I’m excited to be on this path to becoming a nurse. Completing terms 1 and 2 was both challenging and rewarding because of the knowledge and commitment it required from me, and I couldn’t be more proud to have come this far. I have challenged myself and have exceeded my own expectations. I have overcome obstacles I never thought I could beat, and it is all thanks to this program.
Term 1 took a lot of adjusting to such an intense program. Dealing with multiple classes 5 days a week, practicing my skills in labs, finding out which method of learning was best suited for me, and coming to school in my spare time to complete the required certificates so I could move on to my first clinical experience was “exhausting,” but also exhilarating. Whether we’re studying for a test, or winding down after a stressful week, I enjoy spending time with my classmates whom I now call friends. Term 2 was very content heavy, but I have learned a lot in a short amount of time. We had to be mentally prepared to take on all the exams and lab tests, but the feeling of mastering the skills and passing the tests were euphoric.
Term 3 is not as difficult as the previous terms, which seems like a blessing and is a much-needed break. It is quite exciting because we are learning about maternity and mental health. These are two very different topics, however, both are unique and take a specialized plan of care from nurses to help these types of patients. Personally, I enjoy maternity and hope to continue on in the maternity department, so learning about this topic keeps me engaged and focused, especially since I have classes throughout the summer.
I have a feeling this term will be my favourite when looking back on this program. If you asked me about this program, would I say it is difficult? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
I am loving every minute of Term 3 so far, and although we have made it half way through the program, we still have a long way to go, but I am looking at this journey like a glass half full and am proud of myself for making through this far. There is still a lot ahead of me in terms of schooling and practicums, but the goal of becoming a nurse is motivating me to complete this program. People say that a nursing career is often a difficult one, but the rewards of helping others often trump the toughness of the job. I am looking forward to what the rest of this program has to offer, and I am going to keep on persevering and accept any challenges I may face.
