So tonight on #WeNurses chat someone asked:
What would you write in a letter to your self as a first year student nurse?
For the bad days: this too shall pass
For the good days: this is why your heart brought you here.
The bad days can make you feel like quitting, and it’s then, when your heart aches from feeling like a failure, or like you can’t cope, or that this isn’t for you that you need to remind yourself of better days. The days that were filled with the thanks from patients who feel that without you they wouldn’t have got through their traumas. Days come and go. Time washes over a lot of stuff, time allows us to learn and adapt.
If I could talk to myself two years ago I would tell myself exactly this:
1. Breathe.
When you feel worry and anxiety washing across you just breathe, and sit it out and know that you won’t feel like this forever. It will pass.
2. Give yourself time.
You’re learning and growing and time will enhance this. Don’t pressure yourself to know everything now. Learn and in time it will all be in place and together.
3. Don’t beat yourself up for needing to cry.
I pride myself on being made of tough stuff, I pride myself on my barriers I carry around with me. But there have been times when I’ve had to walk into the toilets, or the sluice and have a moment. Have a few tears. Because, every now and again a patient, or a situation can slip through that barrier and touch you. And, it’s ok to cry, it’s absolutely fine to cry, it makes you human.
4. Give your time to others.
A beautiful advantage to being a student nurse is your time affordable still. Spend your time on patients. Spend your time listening and engaging with people. To give your time to someone is a gift. Always give a little bit of yourself to those who need you most.
5. You can’t save everyone.
And, you need to accept that. Being a nurse isn’t about being a hero. It is about doing the best you can. Not everyone can be saved, but find peace in knowing you always gave everything.
6. Smile.
Your expressions can speak a thousand words. Always smile it’ll bring sunshine to someone’s day. A lady told me once, when she was terrified seeing my smile made her feel like everything was going to be ok.
7.Understand the importance of holding a hand.
A patient, a relative. Know the importance of holding a hand, of touch. Know how much can be spoken through not speaking at all. Know that for an amount of time you can be someone’s comfort and reassurance just through being there.
8. Don't put so much pressure on yourself.
Nobody knows everything.
9.Always wear white underwear with a white uniform...
10. Learn to care for/ about yourself, so you can care for others completely.
What would you write in a letter to your self as a first year student nurse?
For the bad days: this too shall pass
For the good days: this is why your heart brought you here.
The bad days can make you feel like quitting, and it’s then, when your heart aches from feeling like a failure, or like you can’t cope, or that this isn’t for you that you need to remind yourself of better days. The days that were filled with the thanks from patients who feel that without you they wouldn’t have got through their traumas. Days come and go. Time washes over a lot of stuff, time allows us to learn and adapt.
If I could talk to myself two years ago I would tell myself exactly this:
1. Breathe.
When you feel worry and anxiety washing across you just breathe, and sit it out and know that you won’t feel like this forever. It will pass.
2. Give yourself time.
You’re learning and growing and time will enhance this. Don’t pressure yourself to know everything now. Learn and in time it will all be in place and together.
3. Don’t beat yourself up for needing to cry.
I pride myself on being made of tough stuff, I pride myself on my barriers I carry around with me. But there have been times when I’ve had to walk into the toilets, or the sluice and have a moment. Have a few tears. Because, every now and again a patient, or a situation can slip through that barrier and touch you. And, it’s ok to cry, it’s absolutely fine to cry, it makes you human.
4. Give your time to others.
A beautiful advantage to being a student nurse is your time affordable still. Spend your time on patients. Spend your time listening and engaging with people. To give your time to someone is a gift. Always give a little bit of yourself to those who need you most.
5. You can’t save everyone.
And, you need to accept that. Being a nurse isn’t about being a hero. It is about doing the best you can. Not everyone can be saved, but find peace in knowing you always gave everything.
6. Smile.
Your expressions can speak a thousand words. Always smile it’ll bring sunshine to someone’s day. A lady told me once, when she was terrified seeing my smile made her feel like everything was going to be ok.
7.Understand the importance of holding a hand.
A patient, a relative. Know the importance of holding a hand, of touch. Know how much can be spoken through not speaking at all. Know that for an amount of time you can be someone’s comfort and reassurance just through being there.
8. Don't put so much pressure on yourself.
Nobody knows everything.
9.Always wear white underwear with a white uniform...
10. Learn to care for/ about yourself, so you can care for others completely.