This is a guest blog post written by Leslie Wheeler, a Marian University student in the accelerated nursing program in Indianapolis.
I finished my first-semester clinicals recently and wow! What an experience. I was able to watch a bone biopsy and learn about hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as well as meet some great nurses. I was on the floor for three Tuesdays and three Wednesdays, and I sure learned a lot. I was able to do vital signs on my patients, and I got a lot better at listening, both through my stethoscope and with my ears to my patient's concerns.
I met a great lady who was facing a second battle with cancer with great pride, dignity and complete acceptance of the uphill battle she faces. I met a young man who had wound issues because of his diabetes. We talked about his fears. He said the difference in his present hospitalization experience and his previous experience about a year ago was that he realized he is no longer afraid. He said that he's stood in the middle of the Valley of the Shadow of Death and no longer had any fear of dying. How powerful is that?
I was in awe of the experiences I had. My professor had previously spoken about her first-ever patient, whom she said she would never forget. I'll never forget my first patient either. After several hours of just getting to know each other, she looked up at me and said, "You know, my mother would've liked you." I was overwhelmed with emotion that someone who had only recently met me would say something so endearing.
I can't say enough about the experiences I had in my first clinical rotation. The floor nurses were so easy to talk to and really wanted to help me learn. My clinical instructor, Liz, was just absolutely fabulous. She taught me how to always have compassion for my patients and to see that even a little bit of extra care can go a long way with someone who is critically ill.
I just can't say enough about my experience so far in the Marian University Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Program. It's a great place to learn with a great group of instructors and, most of all, a great group of new friends.