Clinical placement in January!

Since I applied to this program, I was told that in second semester we were going to be in clinical placements. I had no idea where, who we would be taking care of or what my responsibilities would be, all I knew is that I was very nervous and excited! Throughout first semester in my Foundations for nursing Practicum class, we were told that we would be going to hospitals for our placements in the geriatric ward. Progressively, we learnt that we would take vital signs, transfer clients from bed to wheelchair, reposition clients and do range of motion excercises with them, etc. We learnt several skills that weren't easy to achieve because they were all new to me, but I was very eager for the chance to learn them. With practice I know I will become more and more comfortable doing them. Therefore, with clinical less than a month away, I feel reassured that even though I will be nervous to perform the skills for the first time, I am ready to apply what I learned in class on clients.


(University of New Brunswick, 2008)

Importance to take time for yourself and relax

My first semester consisted of a lot of work, difficult and challenging situations, as well as exciting and interesting ones. I have realized that with all the assignments and evaluations that we are given in the nursing program, that it is crucial to balance your school work and your personal life. I know a lot of people must be saying, what personal life? Even though it seems completely impossible to have time to relax, chat and see friends and loved ones, it is so important to do in order not to drive yourself completely crazy with the mounting homework. Therefore, what I do is that I make sure to take a little time to myself everyday to call my friends or my boyfriend, make sure I watch a bit of television and/or exercise and eat dinner with my family the most I can. In doing these things, I find it really beneficial because it takes my mind off homework and gives me a good break in between working on assignments and studying which helps me to stay focused. Relaxing with your friends and family and having a little bit of fun on weekends is also a great way to remind yourself that even though nursing is a demanding program you should never forget to take time for yourself and maintain strong relationships.

Starting the nursing program

Becoming a nurse has been my dream since grade 11. I can't really describe one pivotal moment that pushed me towards this profession, it just simply felt like the right place for me. I love taking care of people and I really want to make a positive difference in people's lives. Therefore, I was very excited when I received my acceptance letter for the nursing program at University of Ontario Institute of Technology and even more enthused of starting classes in September. I really had no idea of what It would be like, I simply had been told by my family, friends and work colleagues that it was a tough program with a lot of work. When it first started I was very overwhelmed with all the assignments I would have to do for each class throughout the semester and that I was being told about clinical next semester already. I was just getting so nervous that I wouldn't be able to do it all. There was so much reading to be done and reflection papers, as well as group presentations. However, the teachers were really great, they were approachable and understanding and that really helped me feel more comfortable and at ease most of the time. The people I met in the program also helped me through the constant stress and shock of all the work that had to be done and pushed me to just do assignments and study, even at times when I really didn't feel doing anything.

(Three Rivers Community College, 2002)