I definitely feel that my past experiences have helped me a lot in this program. I've had surgeries, I've been in the hospital, I've slept in that hospital bed (and got a horrible night's sleep), I've done the "try to do laps around the nurses station and barely get down the hall a few feet" thing. I've dealt with horrible nausea and the most intense pain I've ever felt; I've also gotten to feel the relief of the potent Dilaudid, although there were times when the pain seemed unstoppable even with that. I've experienced a lot of the side effects of surgery and medications that we've learned about. I've had limited range of motion, being unable to even put on a T-shirt. I've gone home with drains and had to measure my own output from them. These experiences have helped when learning about this stuff in school, but they have also helped me relate to the people I am working with. I have an ability to empathize with them in a way that I don't think is possible without having gone through a similar experience. Everyone's experience is different, and of course I haven't gone through everything that my patients have gone through, but I can relate on a personal level to a lot of the things I've seen in the hospital. I'm so grateful for my experiences as a patient, although it was difficult for me at the time. I am hopeful that they will help me be the best nurse I can be someday.
Okay, that's all for now. I have a habit of writing these when I actually have things to do. I got midterms to study for! Adios amigos :)
