Internship: The Orientation

Today was my internship orientation. I got to tour the NICU. I wasn't expexting it to be so big. 4 bay rooms, 90 patients, and 240 RNs. It seems like a fast-paced environment, which is what I like. I really can't wait to start. The nurse manager/administrator was very welcoming and she actually prepared a binder for me which includes really useful information about the unit. I feel more prepared and confident having that binder in my possession before I actually have to start my shifts.

Study Tips

I'm sitting at Borders with my cup of Seattle's Best, working on my study plan for the NCLEX. It may sound strange, but I like scheduling study times. I have quite a knack for it. I know exactly how to spread out my workload (in specific detail) and anticipate how much I'd be able to do in a certain week (this usually depends on other deadlines or expected life activities).

So an advice to other students or future nursing students: Time management is KEY. Yes, we've heard it many many times, but it's true. Specifically setting aside time A HEAD of time for a certain assignment or class leaves you feeling less overwhelmed. When you see your workload spread out into little increments, you'll see that it is doable. Feeling confident about your ability to fulfill all your responsibilities makes you feel more motivated because you CAN do it!

However, no matter how well you do on your time management schedule, it really won't help much unless you STICK to your schedule. One of my nursing professors once told me that being a full time student should be considered as your full time job. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Consider your studying schedule as part of your full time job. STICK to it. Live up to your commitment to finish all the work you've told yourself you would do. Sure, this may mean that you'd have to miss out on hanging out with friends once in a while, but also remember that this won't last forever. One day you'll be done and it'll pay off.

Internship

I got my internship placement! I'll be at the NICU in Fairfax. I'm really excited! I can't wait to start.

The Beginning.

My last semester of college has begun. I have many anxieties about this next four to five months. I was kicking and screaming going into this semester. To end winter break is to dive headfirst into what I've come to dread: facing the harsh realities of real world nursing. Sure, I may excel at certain courses and appear to just come by the curriculum swimmingly, but book knowledge does not and will never equate competency. I am terrified that I will never meet the standards of the real world.

Although I am not a perfectionist, I need to feel the assurance and the validity that I am where I am supposed to be. Right now, I feel as though I'm nowhere close.

Perhaps, its God's way of humbling me. Because I have never had to work so hard for my grades before, I have always felt overconfident in my academic abilities. But sure enough, God has shown me multiple times in nursing school that I should not rely on my mere abilities, but only in Him. Nursing school has been a humbling experience for me. It is not through my time management skills, or my supposed intellect, or my own discipline that has gotten me this far into the program, but it is only because of God's grace alone.

So with that, although the future may be scary and uncertain for me, God is in control and HIS WILL (not mine) will be done.