marcoujor: An Unexpected Gift

​“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” - Henry Adams

I recently got this email from a former student which served as a strong reminder of this wise quotation.

Marveling at the six years that had passed since I first met Roger, I remembered him immediately and felt my face filling up with a huge smile.

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Dear Maria,

I am sending this to you in hopes that you would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation. My name is Roger ____ and I was a student of yours. My major at the time was Nursing in the B. S. N. program. I took your Essentials of Holistic Nursing in the Spring of 2012 and Nursing Care of Communities in the Fall of 2013. I received an A in each of those classes. I am currently applying for a Doctor of Nurse Practice program.

When I was applying for this Doctor of Nurse Practice program, I was asked for a recommendation from a faculty member. Right away, you were the first person who came to mind. There are several reasons why I wanted to ask you.

You have no idea how much you changed my life. In the Spring of 2012, I started your class Essential of Holistic Nursing. At the time I was working as a nurse in the Emergency Department. I remember how stressed I was and how difficult it was for me to go to work happy.

Things changed as soon as I met you. I remember vividly you telling everyone in class your story. I remember telling you how I felt about my employment and I remember what you told me. You said to me, "Your happiness matters and being happy even at your job matters. Live your life and work at a place that cares about you."

I just remember feeling for the first time in my career that I had a voice. So I started applying at other nursing jobs and I left this job. From there I went to a new facility where I was not only loved but I was also respected. I currently work in the Trauma department and I am a preceptor for many of the new nurses.

Another reason is because I looked up too you. You provided me and the other students with your business card. I still keep in in my wallet as a reminder that I can still keep going. On the card it says, "Something Awaits Us All - Know Your Possibilities."  I follow this wholeheartedly and I make sure my son believes in this too.

Sorry for going on, but I felt like you should know. It may be hard for you to remember me because of the many students that you have taught. There was two big projects that I did during your classes. One was a group project in which I played a character called Germy. I submitted a photo of me doing this character. We went to a Catholic grade school in the Fall of 2013. There we taught and showed a bunch of first graders how to properly wash their hands. We gave the kids these safe skin stamps to stamp the top of their hand. Each stamp was a different bug, like a spider and a butterfly. They had to wash the stamps off their skin. This was such a wonderful and rewarding day.

Another project I did in the Fall of 2013 was a research paper on Low Health Literacy of Urban Adolescents and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. For five weeks I walked around Philadelphia, asking people questions pertaining to this subject. Furthermore, I consulted with experts in this field and made literacy pamphlets as well. I ended up identifying five factors that increased the risk of an urban adolescent contracting a sexually transmitted disease. During my presentation in class, I had the flu and was able to go home after it because of your kindness.

My plan with a DNP is further help my community. In addition, the program awards a certificate: Teaching in Higher Education. The last part I am excited because I always wanted to teach!

Maria, whatever you decide to do just know that I am still very thankful for the lessons that you have taught me. You made me into a better nurse and person.

Thank you very much,

Roger ____, BSN, RN

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My decision was simple.  I proudly wrote a letter of recommendation for this shining  nursing star. And I know with all of my heart that he will be one of the finest teachers and Nurse practitioners around.

All the best, dear Roger - keep soaring and keep believing in yourself … :)

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ShoutOuts

☙ If Plagiarism Was A Killer Disease....  Via Martie’s Foyer

☙ Pineapple Express via WarnerWords

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Until next week, wishing you peace and a bushel of smiles, mar