However, currently, with my new found wellness, I'm in the process of applying to nursing programs here in town. For one of the schools they require an interview. Immediately after the interview I will have 15 minutes to write an essay on a topic chosen for me. There are four possible essay questions. Here is the first one that I wrote a rough draft for:
Give a candid evaluation of yourself as a person. Please discuss, in order of importance the personal characteristics or qualities you feel are your strengths, as well as those you feel are your weaknesses.
And here is my rough draft response:
“Don’t judge another until you walk a mile in their shoes.”
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
“Treat others as you would like to be treated.”
There are many, many, sayings that people often use trying to have you see life from another’s point of view. But unfortunately those that give this advice do not always understand the true meaning behind it. Through life we all will go through experiences, none of which will be identical, some of which may be similar, and many of which only some can relate to. It is what we take with us and learn from these life experiences that help to shape and mold our individual strengths and weaknesses. And it is what we, as individuals, choose to do with these strengths and weaknesses that will ultimately make a difference in this world. I am a CNA, and have chosen to pursue a career in nursing. Through personal experience and education this is how I hope to make a difference.
In my life experiences I have been the patient many times before, and in various situations. I understand the countless and complex emotions a patient may go through such as; the stress, fear, helplessness, frustration, and grief that often get overlooked when receiving treatment. These emotions are merely byproducts of any type of illness but are often not focused on or even addressed because they are not physical. Even in behavioral health situations these feelings get overlooked. Having these similar personal experiences I believe that my first hand understanding of a patient’s wants and needs is a key strength that will help me give exceptional care to my current and future patients.
Every patient deserves exceptional care. A second strength is that I have the want and need to excel by providing this exceptional care. Based on the understanding I have of being a patient I consistently strive to go above and beyond in every situation to ensure the overall comfort and wellbeing of my patients in every way possible. It is often the simple things that matter most to a patient. The little things that we all may take for granted day to day such as having the choice between coffee and tea. Also, listening to your patient rather than talking at your patient can be the one gesture that offers the hope and encouragement often needed to propel them toward wellness. It is subtle things like this that can make the difference to a patient in ways that not many may even know.
In 2004 I was diagnosed with bipolar, a rather severe case. The road to wellness, more like rollercoaster to wellness, has been more trying than I may ever be able to convey. Along the way there was this one nurse that listened to me in one of my many drastically rapid cycles. She sat at the foot of my hospital bed and asked why I was balling my eyes out and pacing the hallways at 3:45 in the morning. So I told her everything I was missing, thinking, feeling, stressing, and crying about. Coming from my manic mind all of this came out like word vomit. But she listened and talked me through it all and gave me hope. Not unrealistic hope, but simple encouragement, empowerment, and most importantly, respect. She was real and genuine; she drew from her own simplistic and personal experiences. Sharing with me first and then giving credible advice. The heart to heart talk was a turning point in my illness. She made such a profound difference in my state of mind and overall approach to wellness that I became determined to beat the illness rather than give up, and to use my experiences constructively rather than destructively. Because of her I now see my illness and the journey it has taken me on as strength. But still most others see it as a weakness. It gives me the heart and soul to strive to make the same kind of difference in the lives of others, and the inner strength each and every day to continue to reach my goals and dreams. I hope to let others know that they are not alone on their road to wellness. Showing them through the care I give that success and wellness are possible if they never give up on themselves or their dreams.
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