In my humble opinion, the learning outcomes for Nursing 103 highlight exactly what the course is all about. During my time in Nursing 103, I would say the class was designed at a very introductory level, to grant students a basic understanding of what the profession entails. From medical terminology to nursing core competencies to a wide array of guest speakers, we were exposed to many different aspects of the field of nursing. Going into the class, I was unsure of what it might consist of, but was pleasantly surprised by the outcome, particularly amongst the guests who graced us with their time and knowledge on what nursing looks like to them in their chosen specialty. Everything from ER, travel, labor and delivery, school and forensic nursing was introduced to the class, in which likely inspired many students in the course; myself included. I think the guest speakers truly contributed to the class and I would highly recommend pursuing this method for teaching aspiring nurses before they commit themselves too far into the program, unsure if it’s the field for them. Beyond just nurses, I personally found great significance in the speech language pathologist who spoke to us about her passion, highlighting the reality that nursing is a career that works directly with other jobs in healthcare. Nursing school tips, how to be a well-rounded student, and a nudge at clinical preparation were a few non-curriculum benefits Nursing 103 offered me. Overall, I feel the most critical aspect of the course was the common theme of all the professionals emphasizing the need for self-care and mental health days. In a field of helping others, it’s easy to neglect ourselves, however the push to decrease burnout is in hopes of saving the already short staffed profession.
Connect Your Experiences
Throughout the spring semester, I have taken courses that have deepened my understanding of the need for us as humans to be more aware of our implicit biases. Between sociology and controversial topics in education, I have learned that humans are naturally judgmental and have a tendency to stereotype those we interact with. Although it is often not intentional, being a future healthcare provider will challenge my instinct to judge people upon first impression. In this nursing course, we have also discussed the reality that nurses do not get to choose who they treat, therefore, we must treat everyone with the same level of respect. Regardless of a person’s situation, it is our responsibility as nurses to provide equality in treatment and support of those seeking our care. I truly believe having become more aware of the predisposition to stereotype individuals has made me more conscious of it, which will only contribute to me being a better, more kind nurse.
