"Confessions" of a Nursing Student
It is the last day of your final clinical attachment, and the sudden realisation hits that you can no longer hide behind your student name badge and say the sentence, “Let me check with my staff nurse in charge.” Reality hits that you are now a full-fledged nurse – and it is time to swim, and hopefully not sink.
Seeing yourself and your fellow batch mates wearing the uniform of a newly registered nurse for the first time feels exciting, but at the same time, it feels like you are suddenly charged with the responsibilities that come hand in hand with the role. Traces of imposter syndrome starts kicking in, and you start asking yourself, “Am I ready?”…”Will I be a good nurse?”
The transition journey from school to the nursing workforce can be both exciting, intimidating and stressful, and it is definitely something that no nurse would ever forget. Thankfully, there were many things I found helpful and was grateful for when I started my nursing career.
Clinical attachments were pretty much a life savior. They help to bridge the gap between theory and practice. However well you think you excelled in your school curriculums, it is a whole different ballgame when actual patients and lives are involved. Clinical attachments provide opportunities to hone fundamental skills - from the basics of vitals taking or assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), to performing procedures such as wound dressing and urinary catheterisation, and to eventually taking cases where you will be trained to manage the care of your patients in in holistic and critical manner. The significance of these clinical attachments may not be very prominent during your days as a student. However, with each clinical attachment, you are being exposed to various practical skills that are definitely vital and useful in helping lay the foundation in your nursing career. A great tip for new nurses is to make the most of your attachments as this is where you will observe the various skills needed for the profession, and if opportunities arise to assist in these skills alongside the more seasoned nurses, do go for it!
Not only do clinical attachments hone practical skills, but they also enhance clinical knowledge. Attachments were a time when pathophysiology and pharmacology come together and “click” as I started taking real cases. You will be exposed to countless medications and medical terminologies, some of which you probably have never seen or heard of before.
The list of medications and medical jargons you learnt will only get longer and longer with each clinical attachment. And even now, as we become registered nurses, there will still be times when we come across medications or names of procedures and tests that we might not be too familiar with, and we continue to ask our peers and seniors around and share their knowledge and seek clarity. There is really no such thing as a pointless question when it comes to patients’ care and safety. Take full advantage of asking questions and clarifying doubts during your clinical attachments, and the learning never stops even when you become a registered nurse too.
For most nurses, shift work becomes a part of your everyday life. There will be irregular hours of work and rest, shifts on weekends and public holidays, while you try to navigate time for family and personal commitments. Adapting to the practical, physical, and psycho-emotional challenges of the nursing career takes time, and everyone transitions differently, and at difference paces. Even though you and your batchmates may end up working in different wards or even in different healthcare institutions, they remain some of the greatest sources of support in your transition journey. (Shoutout to my batchmates!)
Lastly, be kind to yourself and take one day at a time as you begin your journey as a newly graduated nurse. No one becomes amazing at their job overnight, and just like every other profession, your skills and capabilities as a nurse will only get better with experience.
Today, I look around and see our nurses perform a variety of roles – and the traditional notion that nurses only perform bedside care is long gone. There are peers of mine who are involved with research and innovation projects within the hospital to further improve and enhance patient care and staff experience. There are also those that take part in various Shared Governance Councils, championing important causes and aspects of nursing – making the profession more meaningful and purposeful for their peers.
For those who will be embarking on their nursing journey, or might be considering it, my advice would be to go for it, ask as many questions, and try everything that comes your way. Nursing is an ever-evolving profession, and one that continues to stay exciting regardless of your seniority.
Hello, my name is Peggy Soh. I graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing from National Univeristy of Singapore, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies. Under Tan Tock Seng Hospital sponsorship, I am currently working as a registered nurse in a cardiorespiratory inpatient ward, where I strive to expand my clinical knowledge and skills, as well as in nursing research
Peggy Soh is a Staff Nurse at Tan Tock Seng Hospital's cardiorespiratory inpatient ward. She graduated from the National University of Singapore, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing in 2023. Currently under a TTSH sponsorship, she strives to expand her clinical knowledge and skills, as well as in nursing research.