Nursing Students Can Make a Difference!!

As a nursing student, I know that right now I have limited knowledge and can only provide the care I have been trained to give. We as nursing students, going into the clinical setting, feel that we may be more of a hindrance to the care team than a help; when really, even though we may be focusing our care on 1 or 2 patients, that is 1 or 2 patients that the on-duty nurses do not have to care for themselves. This can prevent fatigue in the care team members. It is the little things that we can do, to make a difference. It doesn’t even have to be in the hospital setting, nursing students can make a difference by getting involved in community events such as; Operation Christmas child, Relay for life, and fundraisers for health research . This can promote teamwork, put a positive face on the student nurse population, and most importantly make a difference in the lives of others.

Nursing Shortage

Nursing should be a very exciting career option given that every day is different. Nursing offers flexibility in employment, and gives nurses the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Although nursing has many bonuses, poor staffing patterns and funding cuts are resulting in unbearable working conditions. These conditions can be discouraging for nursing students, knowing that when we complete our heavy workload with schooling, we will continue to work in an unhealthy work environment. I personally believe that to continue on my journey to become a nurse I need to maintain a positive attitude. Even though I have been told that, “I’m Crazy!!” for going into nursing, I need to keep in mind that, even though I’m just one person, I can make a difference!

Student Nurse Burnout

The process of becoming a nurse is extremely stressful at times. Student nurses spend a lot of time studying, writing papers, and working on group projects. Compared to other courses, I personally feel that student nurses do not have the time to spend on themselves, which sometimes can result in burnout. As a nursing student we are taught to give bed baths, take blood pressure, and educate patients so that they can obtain a healthy lifestyle, yet there are no courses on self-care. I personally feel that courses in self-care should be an essential part of the nursing curriculum if they want to continue to recruit and retain healthy, competent and satisfied nursing students during this global nursing shortage.