Typical College Life of a Student in The Us

Introduction

When we as college students are looking for a career to join, it is important to grow and make contacts in that field rather than just attending school and not building a network. One effective way to build and grow a resourceful network is to communicate with those who are either currently working in your intended field or have had previous experience in it. By doing this, not only can one gain valuable insights, but they can also get a better idea of whether this is something they want to pursue as a career. By talking to or interviewing someone, you can learn about the ups and downs and all the aspects that go into working in the designated career field. For the career I am currently aspiring to pursue, Nursing, I felt it was best to talk with someone with a lot of prior experience as a Nurse. The person I chose to interview was Dr. Sheryll Scott, who is currently head of the Nursing program at Wisconsin Lutheran College and has acquired a vast amount of diverse experiences.

Choosing a Career in Nursing

During my interview with Dr. Scott, we discussed many of the major questions when choosing a career, as well as questions specifically related to Nursing. Reflecting on her decision to join the medical field, she recalled advice from her mother. She loved working with people and the sciences but couldn't pinpoint what career she would like to pursue. Her mother, who held a position similar to a nursing assistant, often talked to her about career options. She advised that if Dr. Scott liked working with people and enjoyed the sciences, a career in Nursing might be worth pursuing. We also discussed the things she knows now that she wishes she had known when she first started. One significant aspect of this career, she mentioned, was having good surroundings and coworkers. Building a bond with colleagues in any career is important, but she emphasized that in Nursing, it is even more crucial. She shared how her first job as a Nurse lacked a strong community bond with her coworkers and a strong managerial figure to help build these bonds. Not having support was something she wished she had known earlier, along with pursuing an advanced degree sooner. Right after Nursing school, she began working and delayed pursuing further education. She waited approximately 10 years before returning to school for an advanced degree. My mother, who is currently a Registered Nurse, also agreed with her and wishes she had pursued more education before having children and working full-time as a Nurse.

Insights into Nursing Practice

After exploring her personal choices and decisions in her career, we delved into the actual events in the hospital while being a Nurse. Dr. Scott worked on the surgical floor, caring for patients recovering from surgery. We talked about the stress involved in this role. At the start of her day, she would receive her patient assignments and make a tentative plan for the day. She would prioritize patients based on their needs and plan accordingly. However, with patients moving in and out of surgery, it could be challenging and stressful to keep up. The job was fast-paced and required physical abilities for lifting and moving patients. Just as the hospital schedule could be unpredictable, so could one's personal schedule. Depending on your shifts, your sleep schedule could be disrupted. For instance, if you work night shifts, you might need to sleep during the day, while on your days off, you could sleep at night like most people. We also discussed how advancements in technology and equipment are allowing people to live longer, albeit often with chronic illnesses. This trend creates more patients and an increased demand for Nurses. One current crisis in the Nursing field is the shortage of Nursing instructors to teach future Nurses, which can lead to shortages in a position where needs are ever-growing. Dr. Scott's lasting advice for students and new grads entering the Nursing field was straightforward. She advised all of us to stay dedicated to our studies. The curriculum is challenging and can present difficulties, but with dedication, you can achieve great things. She also recommended seeking out good mentors who can guide and support you on your new journey.

Conclusion

Talking to Dr. Scott opened my eyes even more to what being a Nurse entails. It made me realize how much I want to help the people of America and the effort I must put in to achieve this goal. Although the physical and mental aspects can take a significant toll on Nurses, I feel that God has gifted me with the ability to persevere through all the trials and tribulations this career may bring. As a growing individual, I am ready to embrace the challenging curriculum and career because I feel it is my vocation to do so. I learned a lot from the experience of interviewing Dr. Scott, and I am grateful it has opened my eyes to what I must do and what I will be doing as a career.

References

Scott, S. (2023). Personal interview.

Wisconsin Lutheran College. (n.d.). Nursing program. Retrieved from https://www.wlc.edu/nursing/