Introducing Me

The third year of my undergraduate experience just ended. All my grades are in, and I am in full summer mode until the start of my summer adventures in June.

I thought a lot about the fact that my college experience will soon end. This summer will be the beginning of my senior year - my final year at San Diego State University (hopefully, assuming, I pass).

It feels just like yesterday when I was still trying to figure out what to bring with me to college, and complaining about the thought of leaving home. It feels just like yesterday that I settled into my single, very white-walled dorm room, and scared to leave it and meet other people. It feels just like yesterday when I forced myself to join organizations like CNSA, AB Samahan, and pledged Alpha Phi Omega in order to meet more friends on campus.

As crazy as it seems, three years has actually passed. To be honest, I didn't think I'd last this long. There were so many moments just in my freshman year when I wanted to switch my major to Film, Theatre, or maybe even Communication simply because nursing classes felt so overwhelmingly difficult. I thought that maybe I had to end all of my extracurriculars in order to continue in the nursing program. I thought that maybe I wasn't quite fit to be a nurse... maybe choosing this profession had been a mistake.

However, during the last three years, I've always had a strong support system. Granted, my own family had their doubts with me, especially juggling nursing classes and multiple extracurriculars. However, they still pushed me to keep on going, and keep on believing that I am competent enough to continue in the nursing program. I also met many good friends outside of the nursing major who kept on telling me that they can see me as a good nurse. Little comments like that helped me build my confidence and tell myself that I will be a good nurse one day. And of course, I was lucky enough to create strong friendships within my major. They were the people I struggled, cried, died, celebrated, and rejoiced with. They understand me more than anyone else in college. They support me like no one else does. I would not be where I am today without them, and I am so honored to know that they will soon be joining me in the nursing profession.

I'm already talking as if this is the end, but our senior year is the most important year of nursing school, in my opinion.

This summer, we are able to extern in a hospital under the supervision of a preceptor. This is when we start to build our confidence, and truly experience how it is like to be a nurse. Then, when Fall and Spring comes around, our overall knowledge of nursing care will be challenged in Pediatrics and Critical Care. At this time, all of our professors will make sure that we will be safe to work with patients' lives. On top of this, we will start networking, creating portfolios, applying to new graduate programs, and possibly starting to explore higher education after our undergraduate experience. Then, we take the NCLEX, and start our nursing careers.

Our senior year is the beginning to the end of our undergraduate experience, and also the last step we take before beginning our professional journey.

I thought it would be fun to start blogging now. My last year will be one to remember, and I am sure that I will have experiences that will be beneficial for both my audience and me. It's time that I start documenting my experiences, thoughts, and reflections in my nursing, leadership, and personal life. I think that this blog will be kind of like a senior capstone (maybe?).

I'm not sure who will read this. I'm not sure how often I'll write here. However, if you do decide to follow my journey with me, thank you. Thank you for taking your time to read this.

With thanks,

Annika

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