I have taken a lot of courses in the Nursing Program as an Associate Degree Nurse and have gained knowledge with the help of my professors.  I have learned many valuable things about the profession of nursing, and in the process, have seen my own development. 

            One of the areas we studied was nursing shortages.  This showed me that I have chosen a profession that is very important and yet where much of the needed staff is lacking and so I have a very important mission to fulfill, which is to help people get healthy and care for them while they are doing so.  Also, through all the examples of diversity, I see how my own background can help me empathize with patients who come from a whole variety of ethnic/racial/gender/age backgrounds and make them feel comfortable.  When I began the program, I did not realize that nurses must often be diplomatic and very sensitive to these diverse factors that patients present.  For instance, there might be a language barrier, or a cultural institution, which varies from the dominant culture, to which I must be sensitive, and not judge the patient.  These patients need my help when they are in very vulnerable situations, so it is necessary for me to recognize all the diversities that come in to the hospital or institution. 

            We also studied the role of nursing in prisons. As some of us might end up as prison nurses, it is important for me to know the procedures and also the prison culture characteristics, which will allow me to understand that demographic, and also the prison staff with whom I must interact.  I am glad that this particular branch of the profession was presented, as, if I were thrown into a situation with no understanding, it would present an enormous source of stress for me.

            It is also important to know the dynamics of doctor/nurse relationships, what is appropriate, what responsibilities fall to the doctor and which are in my domain.  For instance, I cannot give a patient a prognosis or actual medical advice, but I can provide great support and do my duties such as taking vital signs and being the first line of communication with patients.  I wish to fend off possible problems with other staff by setting appropriate professional boundaries and participating in collaborative meetings.  Nevertheless, I expect that my communication with the other medical professionals should be open and understanding because I always want to work in a climate of mutual respect, and nurse/physician collaboration.  I feel that I will not defer to a physician because of his higher educational status, but that I can assert myself in my own way, especially if I see disruptive behavior on the part of the physician. 

            I also learned a lot about the physical environment of a hospital/institution, and what affects patient safety and health.  It has been brought to my attention that too many hospitals do not practice correct sanitary procedures, and that patients can easily become infected from bacteria that exist in the hospital.  I will make it one of my goals to always work in a clean place, and if I see violations, to report them immediately.  This is a personal priority, and I would not accept an unclean environment that puts patients’ health at risk.  Additionally, there are a few accessories that can be added to the design/environment of an institution to make it more pleasant, such as bringing in plants and putting children’s drawings on the walls in the children’s wards.  I found these to be very helpful ‘hints’ to make the environment happier while dealing with very stressful situations.