My Life as a Student Nurse

As a nursing student, I would say that with each rotation comes at least one remarkable experience that you cherish throughout your journey from student to professional nurse. I'm a second year female nursing student and we start clinical rotations and the anxiety is killing me. I have no idea what to expect, I keep fearing that I'm probably gonna mess up on my first day or they might give me something to do and I completely mess it up.

When we have our first duty in Sta. Ana Hospital and were assigned in Labor and Delivery Room. During my last semester in nursing school, I was able to choose a specialty clinical rotation, which was, of course, Labor and Delivery. At this point, I already had basic knowledge of OB nursing from my previous rotation, but this rotation was going to be very in depth. I experienced many things from normal vaginal deliveries to cesarean sections to birth defects to demises. I’ve seen women ask for cesarean sections and I’ve seen women choose the natural birthing route. One important thing I took away from that experience was it is so important to be educated about childbirth and to know what your options are.

I have learned a wealth of knowledge from people who I believe are some of the best labor and delivery nurses out there. I have also learned from the not so good ones as well. The bottom line is, this is one of the most important times in a woman’s life and having a supportive nurse who advocates for them is crucial. I look forward to many more years in the field and much more experience that I can share to educate women on one of the most significant experiences of their lives.

While being a student nurse can be challenging, that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. St. Jude College School of Nursing has provided me with a great skill set and knowledge of how to be a good nurse. I am so excited for the road ahead of me and to keep learning through the clinical hours that we participate and learn in. Each week has presented itself with new challenges, and through it all I am reminded each day of how wonderful this profession is going to be.

Life as a student nurse can feel overwhelming, bewildering and unfamiliar as you adjust to the change of routine, accommodate studying, undertake clinical placements and juggle work and family commitments.