Personal Experience: My Experience As A Nursing Student

Nursing, from the perspective of a first-year nursing student, is a profession that is underestimated. Nurses are the backbone of all health care facilities; without them, quality of care would greatly decrease. Through the influence of maternal figures in my family, along with an inherent interest in health care and a strong desire to care for others, I was drawn to the profession of nursing. However, a nurse requires more than merely an interest and the desire to care for others. During my first few months as a nursing student, my understanding of nursing, or lack thereof has come to light. Through comparing my personal attributes and skills as a student nurse with the required attributes of a professional nurse, my overall competence and

Though any two may end up in the same place, their journey to that place was vastly different. Each nursing student has had a unique journey to nursing, acquiring attributes and skills that have shaped them into the blossoming nurses they are. Some individuals may have learned their skills through metaphorical journeys, but I learned my major personal attributes and skills through a physical journey. My name is Ashlee Macken-Rocliffe, and I am an immigrant. Though fluent in English and harboring other attributes that have made my transition into the Canadian lifestyle easier, sometimes I feel like a minority. There have been times in my life so far in Canada where I have felt like an outsider, and truly believed that I did not fit in. Therefore, I believe my position as an immigrant will benefit my ability to care for patients in similar situations through my use of empathy. Empathy is the ability to view the situation from the perspective of the individual experiencing it (Jakubec & Astle, 2014, p.254). It is also the ability to communicate that understanding (p. 254). Empathy however is not the same as sympathy, which is often portrayed as feelings of pity or sorrow through

To be specific, I believe that portraying a motivated and determined persona in the workplace is vital for professionalism and success. However, determination is mostly an acquired skill, and matures with exposure to varying factors. I am a first-degree black belt in ITF Taekwon-Do, a skilled clarinet player, a maintainer of proficient grades, and was a successful lead of five drama productions at my high school. These personal experiences clearly reflect my determination and level of motivation. Once I determine a course of action in my mind, I do not stop until I reach my goal. According to research, “self-determination theory (SDT) may be an important theoretical framework . . . [for] . . . implementing patient-centered care” (Podlog & Brown, 2016, p. 359). Self-determination theory revolves around human motivation, and the ability of an individual to control, regulate, comprehend and relate ideas and actions (Ryan & Deci, 2002, p. 71). Without determination, a nurse cannot complete his/her job. During my short term as a nursing student so far, it has been engrained in my mind that nursing is a demanding profession and will demand so much from one individual. Without the determination to complete every task and ‘push through’ a nurse will not