The Student Nurse Experience: Becoming a Nurse
Introduction
The process of transformation from a student nurse into a nurse could be challenging due to “blurring of the boundaries between professional nursing and a skilled healthcare work” (Holland, 1998, p. 229). In order to make it easier for a student nurse to identify her/his role this evolutionary process could be divided into three stages or “rites of passage”, including “rites of separation, transition and incorporation” (Holland, 1998, p. 229).
In this paper I will analyze my personal experience of transition from a student nurse to a nurse. I will explore the meaning of “a ritual acknowledgement of a transition and incorporation into a new social state” Holland, 1998, p. 235). …show more content…
During my first clinical experience my neophyte status was strongly associated with limited knowledge and lack of confidence. Moreover, lack of trust from experienced nurses increased the uncertainty of my position. My self-perception back in those days was very much similar to the one described by Helen Pearson in her personal reflection about transition from nursing student to a staff nurse: “I was worried about appearing incompetent because I lacked confidence in my clinical abilities. My mind was always arguing 'you can do this ' versus 'no you can 't '” (Pearson, 2009, p. 31). During the stage of separation my self-perception transformed. After three years of being in the nursing program I do not see myself as a novice anymore. Knowledge received in class and in hospital during clinical hours boosted my self-confidence and allowed me to separate myself from a neophyte role. It correlates with the statement that “Knowledge therefore becomes equated with power and, in particular the knowledge which is required to undertake a new status or social position.” (Holland, 1998, p. …show more content…
Breaking the transformational process in to three stages allowed me to get a deeper insight of what I takes to become a nurse. Review of all three stages and reflection of my individual nursing practice helped me to identify myself in stage two or a “social limbo” (Turner, as cited in Holland, 1998, p. 229). Studying of major components of the phase three or “incorporation” allowed me to pinpoint the chief indicators of successful integration of student nurse into the culture of nursing, including visibility, increased confidence, improved interpersonal skills and “the conferment of traditional knowledge” (Holland, 1998, p. 230). Learning from the article about the transitional experience of other student nurses facilitated my personal reflection of consolidated clinical practice. Moreover, understanding of the personal meaning of the transformation from a student nurse into a nurse enabled me to move forward towards my new role in
Introduction
The process of transformation from a student nurse into a nurse could be challenging due to “blurring of the boundaries between professional nursing and a skilled healthcare work” (Holland, 1998, p. 229). In order to make it easier for a student nurse to identify her/his role this evolutionary process could be divided into three stages or “rites of passage”, including “rites of separation, transition and incorporation” (Holland, 1998, p. 229).
In this paper I will analyze my personal experience of transition from a student nurse to a nurse. I will explore the meaning of “a ritual acknowledgement of a transition and incorporation into a new social state” Holland, 1998, p. 235). …show more content…
During my first clinical experience my neophyte status was strongly associated with limited knowledge and lack of confidence. Moreover, lack of trust from experienced nurses increased the uncertainty of my position. My self-perception back in those days was very much similar to the one described by Helen Pearson in her personal reflection about transition from nursing student to a staff nurse: “I was worried about appearing incompetent because I lacked confidence in my clinical abilities. My mind was always arguing 'you can do this ' versus 'no you can 't '” (Pearson, 2009, p. 31). During the stage of separation my self-perception transformed. After three years of being in the nursing program I do not see myself as a novice anymore. Knowledge received in class and in hospital during clinical hours boosted my self-confidence and allowed me to separate myself from a neophyte role. It correlates with the statement that “Knowledge therefore becomes equated with power and, in particular the knowledge which is required to undertake a new status or social position.” (Holland, 1998, p. …show more content…
Breaking the transformational process in to three stages allowed me to get a deeper insight of what I takes to become a nurse. Review of all three stages and reflection of my individual nursing practice helped me to identify myself in stage two or a “social limbo” (Turner, as cited in Holland, 1998, p. 229). Studying of major components of the phase three or “incorporation” allowed me to pinpoint the chief indicators of successful integration of student nurse into the culture of nursing, including visibility, increased confidence, improved interpersonal skills and “the conferment of traditional knowledge” (Holland, 1998, p. 230). Learning from the article about the transitional experience of other student nurses facilitated my personal reflection of consolidated clinical practice. Moreover, understanding of the personal meaning of the transformation from a student nurse into a nurse enabled me to move forward towards my new role in