I spent my weekends in the month of April taking nursing students to a skilled living facility on a geriatric clinical rotation. What an exciting time in the lives of my students! In one short weekend, almost all are convinced they have chosen the profession of their heart ~ nursing. When asking students on Saturday morning to rate their level of anxiety from one (low) to ten ('I'm outta here!'), I'll typically have most checking in at a six or seven. By Sunday afternoon, it's rare to hear a score more than a two from my beautiful women and men... The high point of the day for me is watching the relationships build between resident and student. With some there is a seventy year age difference - yet the common ties I discover both astound and delight me. Many of the students are actively applying the Golden Rule, as they lovingly tell me about their grandparents. I'll admit these residents are easy to fall in love with. They are bright, feisty, funny, opinionated - come to think of it, they have the same qualities we have...(LOL)! I have heard Mom's words coming out of quite a few mouths- such as, "I was out like a light". It's magical when I encounter an elder telling one of my students their wise life lessons. The students leave this experience transformed, as do I... So far, I've been getting some heartwarming feedback about these future nurses as I talk to the residents. I'm proud that the future of my profession show compassion, respect and kindness with their every action...take a look at some of the comments for yourself: 1- She was nice. 2- She smiled at me. 3- He listened to my stories. 4- She laughed at my jokes. 5- She didn't rush me. 6- She made me feel young! 7- She gave me the best backrub...the best hands. 8- He was respectful of my privacy. 9- She got me creamer for my coffee. 10- She was an angel - she washed my hair. 11- She held my hand until the nurse came with my pain medicine. And how lovely that the nursing staff have shared this feedback with me about my students: 1- They are a godsend. 2- The residents love your students. 3- Thank you for bringing these helping hands. 4- They make me smile - love them. 5- What a big help they are. 6- They are meant to be nurses. 7- They have big hearts. A friend sent me a FaceBook quiz to determine my life motto - check out my uncanny, and characteristic, results: "Choose a job you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life." Maria Jordan Hmmm ... am I that obvious? Guilty as charged... and I thank my students for inspiring me enough to share my 'work' with you. Wanted to end this one with a little "Love and Happiness"... as sung by Al Green: ShoutOutsUntil next month, be inspired by the youth and elders around you...
Peace, mar
13 Comments
Mike
5/20/2018 04:24:32 pm
Hello mar - It sounds like your students and yourself, are getting as much back as you give to the residents of the assisted living facility. Funny how that always happens. Happy Sunday.
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How sweet! You really have a gift for inspiring your students. I know they must love you and to have you relate the stories of your semester here is really neat. I didn't know you were spending your April weekends doing this. But I'm sure it was rewarding - you definitely captured lots of goodness in their statements. Sending you hugs and love and keep inspiring, friend! You are amazing!
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Shauna
5/21/2018 12:23:10 pm
What a rewarding experience, Mar! You are definitely in the right profession, my friend. It's comforting to know that our future caregivers come from such a compassionate, loving mentor. I know one day your students will follow in your footsteps and continue the legacy.
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Verlie Burroughs
5/21/2018 01:12:59 pm
Love this mar! The comments (feedback in your article) from the elderly patients are so telling. It's a thrill when you get a positive response from someone who is hurting, that's for sure. I remember one old gal, commenting to her nephew about me on my first day on the job as her new 'homemaker': "She's a good one," she whispered. And five years later I was still always happy to hear her words of gratitude (by that time we were old friends). The benefits of this kind of relationship work both ways. She is gone now, but I will never forget her appreciation. Each time I visited, even times when she was in so much pain she couldn't get out of bed) she would call out as I was leaving: "Thank you a million times!". I can still hear her saying those words, gives me goosebumps now thinking about it.
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Gail Sobotkin
5/21/2018 05:59:36 pm
What an inspiring and uplifting post. Makes me have hope for the future of nursing.
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