Student Manifesto: Describe Yourself as a Student Nurse

Nursing school is the most challenging, yet rewarding experience I have ever gone through. It takes effort, grit, discipline, and determination. I highly value the nursing profession and I think is one of the most critical jobs there is. A multidisciplinary career like Nursing influences students like myself to consider how one will positively contribute to the profession with their values, attitudes, and character. My task was to describe yourself as a student, so in this essay I will try to define how I see myself as a nurse student. what traits should I develop and why. Nevertheless, I believe compassion plays a big role in delivering high-quality treatment and care to patients.

As an aspiring nurse, I have always instilled the belief of putting people first and making them a priority. I believe that nursing goes way beyond just providing proper treatment to patients. Although that is the crucial responsibilities of healthcare professionals, I believe what makes a great nurse is someone who behaves with genuine compassion and kindness towards other individuals. Patients are vulnerable, ill, and hurting. These are individuals who need others to listen to their troubles and worries without any judgment. Patients need individuals who genuinely understand their situation, and who is willing to offer comfort and care. When patients get the impression that you are somebody they can trust, it creates a fulfilling relationship between them and the nurse. According to Price – Dowd, “If you build trust with a patient, you’ll find out what’s really going on in their mind and provide them with better care”. I believe that your attitude and emotions, negative or positive, directly can affect how you approach a patient. I can expect to have some days harder than others but I have to remember that how I act towards my patients is what matters the most. When I am on duty, it is important to remember to separate my matters and not let it affect how I am going to perform at my job and most importantly how I am going to treat individuals who need compassion the most.

Being a student in a professional program, I believe in treating people with kindness and respect. Every day I get to interact with people of different backgrounds and ages and extending compassion to whomever I come across is what I value as a nursing student. All of us go through our struggles from time to time whether that be from school, family, friends or work. And with the challenges students face during nursing school, it can add more distress which heavily takes a toll on their mental health. With that said, I always make an effort to touch others with kindness and compassion. As an aspiring nurse who highly values this principle, it is important to me that I demonstrate and practice this in my early years. Not only is this important during my academic career, but embodying this characteristic will serve a significant role in working as a healthcare professional in the future. According to Price – Dowd, “ Being compassionate doesn’t cost anything but means so much. It needs to be something that should be included in everything nurses do'. Later on, when I am working alongside real patients, I am certain I will make a positive difference by treating them with dignity, respect, compassion and simply for who they are – as human beings.

Before starting this program in September, I wrote down a list of goals I wanted to achieve for my four years in nursing school. The first goal I had written down was to excel academically. The second goal I had was to improve and strengthen critical thinking skills. And the last goal was to foster a positive and confident attitude. Although these are goals I strongly uphold, what ultimately drives me to work hard is so that I can be an inspiration to others who are on the same journey as myself. As a student in this professional program, my vision is to display what nursing is truly about and what it means to be a part of such a community. My goal is to motivate individuals to make an impact through hard work, good character, perseverance, and passion. Along with hard work and passion, I strongly believe that embodying a good character as a student in this program is just as important. Displaying compassion and kindness are two principles I will always continue to uphold. I believe having a good character goes a long way and makes a positive difference in people’s lives. According to Price – Dowd, “If you show true compassion, people will open up to you and will build trust, which is key”. I believe compassion brings people together as it cultivates a strong genuine connection. Throughout my journey of nursing school, I can expect there to be positive experiences along with difficult times ahead. I believe that my vision will always be a form of reminder of my purpose throughout my journey as a nursing student. My vision is something I can use to continuously motivate, encourage and lead me to achieve success. I believe it is important to remind myself to not let challenging and troubling times discourage me from accomplishing my own goals. Instead, I must remain true to what I have envisioned for myself and let it be a constant reminder of what my core values are and what is most important to me being a student in a professional program.

It takes many traits and attributes that make an excellent nurse. Although competency is essential in this profession, I believe having a good character is just as important in the nursing profession. I strongly believe that this plays a significant role when delivering the highest quality of care to patients. The principle of compassion is something I will continue to uphold and highly value throughout my academic career and as a future nurse. This was a 'Describe yourself as a student' essay example where I share personal perpective on what is look like to be a good student nurse. I believe that in time to come, I know I will be able to make a positive difference in people’s lives when I can provide the best care for my patients whilst embodying compassion, kindness, and respect.