Mentorship was the deciding factor

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

To be honest, the only thing I remember that day was the wonderful nursing staff.

They were complete strangers to me, as I was to them; however, these were the most compassionate and caring people I had ever met.

They were there for me every step of the way and I just can’t fathom what my recovery would have been like without them.

I’ve always had an interest in helping others and I wanted to find a profession that would enable me to do just that.

I have found that nursing is a perfect match.

I was fortunate enough to be chosen to participate in the Community Mentorship Program. This experience has solidified my decision to pursue nursing as a career.

I spend one afternoon each week shadowing nurses at Calvert Memorial Hospital. I have had the opportunity to see many of the units and observe the daily work of a nurse in those departments.

I have taken a keen interest in the nursing life of the emergency and operating rooms.

Not only have I seen how nurses handle critical situations and traumas, but I have also had the privilege to observe an incredibly rewarding profession.

Nursing, in my opinion, is the definition of a rewarding profession.

Even though I was only supposed to stand back and observe, I had the opportunity to assist one person in a unique way.

This has truly been one of the most monumental experiences of my life. One day, I was shadowing nurses in the Traditional Care Unit and I was able to sit in on a meeting between a social worker, an elderly patient who was to return home shortly to be in Hospice Care, and her loving husband. Within a few minutes of the meeting, it was clear that this woman was a Christian.

She commented that what helps her through the most difficult times is singing hymns. One of her favorites is ‘‘Jesus Loves Me;” however, it was becoming more and more difficult for her to remember all of the words.

It broke my heart to see the state of this woman and I was trying to think of something I could do to lift her spirits.

Immediately, I wrote down all of the lyrics to ‘‘Jesus Loves Me” and gave them to the couple. Their eyes lit up.

They thanked me repeatedly. Just those five minutes of giving her the letter, wishing her the best of luck, and saying good-bye have been the most rewarding five minutes of my life.

Because of the Community Mentorship Program and my past experience at Johns Hopkins, I have declared nursing as my major and will start the next chapter of my life at Salisbury University next fall. I have every hope of following their nursing curriculum, graduating in 2012, and immediately starting my service as a nurse.

This Community Mentorship Program is helping me achieve my long-term goal because it has opened my eyes to a profession which I wish to pursue and is teaching me the responsibilities and requirements that come with it.

I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and will cherish the many experiences this Community Mentorship Program has provided.

Allison Rice, Prince Frederick