“What course shall I take?“, that plays in my mind during my senior year in high school. I had settled some choices for my course. Firstly, I wanted to take Medical Technology, my second choice was Psychology and lastly, Nursing. I really wanted to be a Medical Technologist. As deciding for which school should I enter, I chose, Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Memorial Foundation (RTR), South Western University (SWU), and University of San Carlos (USC). Neither of my parents’ choice was there on my listings. I only took the entrance test of USC. As I read the courses being offered by the University, the school only offered BS Psychology and BS Nursing. I finally made up my mind to take Nursing (and I don’t know why) *sigh.
On my first year of college, it was difficult for me to mingle with my classmates due to language differences. I can understand a little bit but it was awkward for me to speak their language. As time goes by, I was able to adapt their environment. I was happy that I got my first “independence” during that time. I learned how to budget my money, take care of myself alone, and to adjust that we are six in a room. I never felt alone that time. School was not doing well by that time. Chemistry was a horror for me. I really hate that subject since high school. I was lucky that my room mates and classmates are good to me. They are willing and able to help me in my weakness in school *Chem and Algebra*. Few months had passed and school was going fine. At the end of the two semesters of first year college, I was just so-so satisfied of the result of my grades.
Second year. As a college sophomore, I had established goals to make good in my studies. I was excited that some major subjects will now be encountered *Anatomy & Physiology, and Primary Health Care*. I admit that studying that serious was not that easy. I was proud of myself that I learned how to perform some physical assessment and make some plans. I was really anxious during our return demonstration because I was afraid that I may make a mistake or forget some steps. All of my return demonstrations were smooth as it was supposed to be. Second year was the most terrible stage in my whole college life so far. I failed during our midterms. I failed in my PE and Physics subjects. But I promised myself to do good in our finals. I was challenged by my emotions and ability to cope up to some personal matters. I am happy that my friends were their there for me during my saddest moments. It slightly affected my studies, but grades were just average and was not satisfying for me. It was also the time to screen ourselves for the preparation for our Capping and Badging ceremonies.
Summer. I was the most challenging. Imagine, 4 subjects that was supposed to be taken up in one semester are being taken up during summer. It was really exhausting. 3 hours in every subject everyday from Monday to Saturday. Everyday there were quizzes and 3 chapters were being discussed per day. It was really tiring to study every night and memorize some terms needed for the quiz for the following day. During that time, I learned that Nursing is an Art. We had done some flower arrangement and had performed medical and surgical hand washing and etc… The most challenging part for me was to perform Injection. It was not that easy for me. I had practiced injecting first to my classmates who are also my dorm mates. At first I was nervous that I may hit the nerve and get lost of my mind. But I had done it accurately according to my room mate who supervised me during our practice. Injecting was a nervous but being injected was painful. I shouted due to pain. But I realized that the pain was manageable. During on our actual return demonstration, I was really nervous because I was the first one to be injected. I prepared myself. My room mate gave me an advice to inject first because I will have no strength to perform next. But sad to say, it was not my luck. I just gave way to my partner to perform first. It was true that there was less strength to perform after being injected. I was satisfied and happy that our Clinical Instructor gave me a 1.1 grade on my performance. Summer classes was just fine and I was happy on the grades that I got.
Third year. This is the stage that I am currently in. During our first semester, all of my subjects were all major except for one. As a third year, life gets so complicated due to several requirements needed in our duty. All of our subjects are major that’s why it is really important to study every night in all of our subjects. During the early weeks of classes, it was really boring because I have no class during Thursday to Saturday. I have nothing to do by that day but just to eat, sleep and watch movies. Our major subjects was really difficult. I admit it, it was really hard for me. Our preparation for our capping and badging was really a “thing” for us. It was our time to experience the reality of nursing. After our Capping and Badging ceremonies, we are able to have some exposure in both Community and Hospital setting. At first, we are really excited in our first hospital exposure *delivery room*. We are able to relate to our lessons in our Maternal and Child Health Nursing. I realized that being a mother was not that easy. Imagine, carrying a human being in a woman’s womb for nine months is a sacrifice for a part of a woman. I got 5 cases in the delivery room. I was happy and contented with that. On our next hospital exposure, we are assigned in the Out Patient Department wherein, it was the most hectic area. The doctors there were being so rude and what they want, they should get it immediately. There are also patients who are demanding and so impatient to wait for their turn. But as a nursing student still practicing, being gentle to our patients and to give care is our primary duty to do. Next we are assigned in a Pedia Ward. At last, our mode of transportation was good. Being assigned in the Pedia ward was also tiring. We have to make deal with children. I had observed that most of the children were afraid of persons who are wearing all-white. They are afraid to be touched by those people, who pertain to us. During this semester, I realized that it is true that nursing students experience sleepless nights, lack of time for ourselves, work under pressure, and etc… I was contented and satisfied on looking on my grades. I knew that all of my hard work made up a good product. =)
