I just got back from volunteering at the Utah County Health Department free clinic. Besides being a very rewarding service opportunity, it was significant for another reason. It was the last time that I wore my student nurse uniform. Since September of 2004, I have been wearing the standard blue scrub pants and white top with my nametag. I can clearly recall my first clinical and how I ironed my scrub top the night before to make sure it looked crisp and professional. Quite a contrast from tonight when I pulled my wrinkled top from a pile of dirty clothes and covered it with a sweater.
I couldn't help but feel nostalgic as I took off my student nurse nametag for the last time (just like I did when I took off my missionary nametag for the last time). There is something comforting about having the word "student" on your nametag. It is like saying, "Teach me, teach me, make sure that I get to see anything interesting and explain in detail what you are doing." New nametags await. Now I get to be responsible for all that information that I learned in my years as a student. I can't help but think that there will be times that I will wish that I could just put on my student nametag again.
5 comments:
So true Kristen, so true. I've thought the same thing. You'll be a great nurse though, I know it!!
Yes Kristen, you will be a wonderful nurse. I always admired you for the early mornings you had class or worked while we were roommates. I bet you will love being a teacher to student nurses as much as you have loved being the student. To nephrology and beyond!
oh I got teary-eyed reading this!! Transitions are always a bit mixed aren't they? wish we could be there for your graduation!!! Love you, and maybe someday we will actually connect on the phone.
You could always go to grad school and be a student again!
Are you dead? Blog again!
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