Nursing Graduating Class of 2010

Brian the Master of Ceremonies and organiser:

 

The end of semester signals many things....from a lecturers point of view it is a busy time with winding up the semester, making sure the students have handed in all their work and then there's the marking, a mountain of marking...this is where you find out if the students have applied what you have taught them...getting all the marks in for the Board of Examiners..there is a quick turn around before the next semester.... then of course there are those students who have come to the end of their course...for nursing it is a the culmination of three and half years....this group of students is a particularly special group for me... as I have seen them over several semesters throughout the last two years...which can be rewarding because you see them grow and gain more confidence and you began to feel the excitement as they are coming to the end of their course.....I don't always teach in the last semester of the nursing unit, however I have done it a couple of times now and really enjoy seeing the students go out into there 10 week clinical practice and blossom over the weeks. There are off course the trials and tribulations that go with clinical practice.... the good and the bad of the nursing professions preceptors, bullying, the usual coping with being a student and time management.

Which one of these nurses will become a "midwife"?

 

As a lecture you also have the ability to see which students are going to succeed and those that will struggle...I am proud to say we have a large number of very gifted students in the class of 2010 and I would love to see where they are in 5 years time.

 

This celebration was organised by one of the students Brian a talented man who will be a brilliant nurse...there were about 90 people...students, partners and academics.. it was really nice to see the partners there supportive and proud.... and rightly so....it was like the red carpet at the logies.... the girls were gorgeous and the guys handsome...I have to say there were some great shoes and dresses around....there was a buffet dinner again brilliant and off course desert was great.... drinking and dancing was had by all and I had a fantastic time...

 

Now at every celebration there are the traditional speeches: yes the academics as they like to hear there own voice... had something to say... Brenton whom I greatly admire (now retired) gave a heartfelt impromptu speech...and as expected it was brilliant, great words of wisdom....Lorraine wrote a poem "Ode to the new Curtin Grads"...which was excellent... Fiona...stunning wooed the audience and again thanked Brian for the enormous job he had done...and off course I had a few words to say....
The students had there own set of awards which was brilliant: "the nurse best not to upset because she has access to a variety of theatre instruments"
"The nurse most recognisable from far away"
"the nurse most likely to achieve her PhD"
"the nurse with the quietest voice and softest touch"
"the nurse most likely to hear there voice talking over the chaos in ED"
"the nurse who organised the best Xmas party"
there were a couple more that I can not remember.......

 

There are a large number of male nurses in this group...in which area will they be in 5 years?

 

For me I am passionate about teaching, I just love it.... and my message is to always trust yourself and your gut feeling...have integrity, honesty and cover yourself... that means always documenting everything despite time constraints.....you are armed with all the skills it is now time for you to fly..... fly high and be passionate about your work...when you have passion...success follows; and think about doing a postgraduate course after your graduate year.....Well done and good luck......

RCNA offering freebee to student nurses.......

On reflection............It came to my attention when teaching the undergraduate nurses that the RCNA was offering free membership to student nurses.....now I pride myself on being pro-active and passing this enthusiasm onto the students... I thought what a great incentive for the students to have free membership to a professional body that offers them support, information, collegiality and professional support.... so I thought i would engage the students on a discussion about professional bodies and their usefulness and ask how many of the students had taken up the RCNA's offer of free membership.... to my surprise...not one of the 31 students had picked up on this fabulous offer.... this was a shock to me...when I asked them why...one said she didn't know what the RCNA had to offer her , 2 others said it was for a limited time and the rest just were not interested.... is this a sign of the times? or a societal problem... do our students get everything to easy...? or am I making a mountain out of a mole hill.... I don't think so. I think that this is apathy starting as a student....yes I know students have a lot of work...but so does everyone... or maybe it is that they really do not appreciate the benefits of belonging to a professional body... or is this the problem with nursing... how many doctors do you think would never consider belonging to their professional body? I wonder if they have this problem?
It begs the question, do nurses and student nurses really believe in the profession of 'nursing' and its professional body? what do you do to increase membership to professional bodies?

This is inspiring...... Randy Pausch "The last Lecture"

I have watched the You Tube video and read the book.... and I have found it sad and inspiring so much so that I thought I would share it.... I also show my students this clip and when i feel that life is not going to plan, or I get despondent, I play it again to remember what my dreams and passions are so that I can continue and achieve them.
Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

My year according to the horoscope: Leo

This year has started well.... a great clinical shift today lots to reflect on but will save that for another day.... however as I was browsing the Newspaper on my break this evening I pondered on my horoscope according to Tanya Obreza in the West Australian today...my star was split into three categories, soul purpose, overview and love and sex....it went something like this?

Soul Purpose for 2010: leadership;

After years of hard work...the planets are aligned and you are now happy...and they are planing big things for you;.. you are a 'go and get it kinda person' just as well as there are a number of projects on the horizon for you... you have leadership qualities and you will lead by example and be recognised for your work... the most interesting bit was the love and sex....Jupiter plans a year long stay in my sector of sexuality...whatever that means...but sounds exciting...not sure where I will get the time from though... Pluto sends a romantic tremble through the work place... these plants are all rather busy... some foreign involvement...oh I almost forgot the 'treat yourself to something naughty but nice' em wonder what that might be....any clues?
I did then go on to read Ian's and his was exciting too....
It was a pleasant tea break wondering how many other Leo's have read this horoscope and feel excited about the coming year....emm now how many Leo people would this apply too.... is it possible that they will all achieve this sort of year... maybe now I am being the sceptic.... it is all in good fun and if it encourages some enthusiasm then i am all for it... it made light reading for my break and I felt good....I was excited about the year before I read the stars but this confirms my thoughts..... its going to be a good year....






ref picture: http://www.vedicastroindia.com/pic/leo-sunsign.jpg