Dr. Orison Swett Marden, M.
D., (1850 – 1924) once said “every experience in life, everything with which we have come in contact in life, is chisel which has been cutting away at our life statue, molding, modifying, shaping it. We are part of all we have met. Everything we have seen, heard, felt, or thought has had its hand in molding us, shaping us. I am who I am today due to those experiences.” My enthusiasm for new challenges in life has been the chisel that shaped and molded me to what I am to day.
A career in nursing was not my choice at childhood. I wanted to be associated with anything far from nursing and patient care. I took nursing profession to be battle field full of troubles, but as John Heywood (1497-1580) once said ‘If you will call your troubles experiences, and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be’. In retrospect, my personal and educational experiences, family life experiences and sheer strength and determination is what have fostered and propelled me to what I am today and provided the foundation for my strong interest in nursing. My interest in a career in nursing began late in my childhood. I have explored the field through participation in community health voluntarism programs.
I participated in a number of nursing programs that precipitated my interest in nursing career. It was challenging but equally interesting and enjoyable. This made me appreciate the power of public health measures and above all the experience taught me the importance of knowing cultural customs and norms, as well as having the ability to communicate effectively. My early educational life was full of success and challenges. As an elementary school teacher, I gained invaluable knowledge into general care of young kids, cultural sensitivity, and conflict resolution and religion affiliation.
This opportunity was to have a monumental significance and impact in my life. It is during this period that I perfected my listening and public speaking skills, which have transformed my life immensely. This is more so when it’s borne in mind that a career in nursing requires a lot of listening as it’s through this that one would be able to communicate well with the patients. I recall that these skills were to be put into test in instances when dealing with young kids in the elementary school. My educational journal during my undergraduate studies has been full of challenges, some insurmountable.
I have been able to achieve an above average G.P.A grade of 4.0 during this period. It was also during this period that I was to learn a lot of skills and undergo further experiences that would, inter-alia, continue shaping my life for the better. Life started taking its course since I had to leave my loving and caring family and start living a lone in campus.
The societal, cultural and societal ties were amputated and I had to make a lot of adjustments to fit in the new society. These adjustments presented both internal and external complexities and were stressful. My strong locus of control adaptation mechanisms however ensured that I coped positively to all the challenges presented. It was in campus that I met and interacted with several people and made valuable friends who will forever be part of my life .
I have for years learnt from friend and indeed gained a lot. It is my great pleasure that my compassion, caring, and loving attitude towards people has really grown. This led me to the career of nursing. I would like to state that my life to date has prepared me to deal with many obstacles and challenges.
Determination, resilience, strength, caring patience and diligence are a part of my character. I cherish team work and corporation. I hope to pursue this great career; I believe these characteristics will go along side my desired profession and success in the whole under takings.
