Future nurse, driven, compassionate, always growing
Throughout my time in the Dwyer School of Health Sciences, my coursework has strengthened my critical thinking skills the most. Classes in health sciences, microbiology, and anatomy have pushed me to analyze information, connect concepts, and apply knowledge to real-world healthcare situations. I have learned how to think beyond memorization and instead understand how and why processes happen in the human body.
However, I still need to continue developing my leadership skills. While I am confident in my ability to complete assignments and work independently, I want to become more comfortable taking initiative, speaking up in group settings, and guiding others. As I continue my education and move into clinical environments, improving my leadership will be important for patient care, teamwork, and professional growth.
I am really grateful for my experience working as a medical assistant. This opportunity helped me see what healthcare is actually like in real life. It showed me how important it is to care for patients and work as a team.
There were times when I wanted to do more to help patients, but I couldn’t because of my position. Instead of getting discouraged, it made me more motivated to keep going in school and work toward becoming a nurse.
This experience helped me grow, build confidence, and understand what I want for my future. It also showed me how important communication and compassion are in healthcare. I’m thankful for everything I’ve learned from it because it helped guide me toward my goals.
During my time in the Dwyer School of Health Sciences, I feel like my critical thinking skills have improved the most. My classes, especially science and health courses, have taught me how to really understand information instead of just memorizing it. I’ve learned how to connect ideas and apply what I learn to real-life situations, especially in healthcare. One skill I still need to work on is leadership. I usually do well working on my own, but I want to get better at speaking up, sharing my ideas, and taking charge in group situations. I know this will be important in the future, especially in healthcare where teamwork is very important. As I keep going through school, I want to build more confidence and become a stronger leader.
I chose this assignment as my best work because it shows how much I’ve improved in both understanding and explaining information. Instead of just repeating what I learned, I was able to break it down and make it easier to understand. This project also shows my growth as a student. At the beginning, I had trouble organizing my thoughts and explaining things clearly. In this assignment, I did a better job of staying organized and explaining my ideas in a way that makes sense. This connects to NACE skills like critical thinking and communication. I had to think about the information, understand it, and then explain it clearly. These skills are really important, especially in healthcare, where you need to communicate clearly with patients and coworkers. Overall, this assignment shows not only what I learned, but also how I’ve improved over time.
Dear First Semester Me,
Right now, you’re probably nervous and not sure what to expect, and that’s okay. College is going to be harder than you thought, but it’s also going to help you grow a lot. You might feel overwhelmed sometimes and question yourself, but that doesn’t mean you’re failing—it just means you’re learning.
One thing I wish you knew is that struggling is normal. There will be times when classes feel confusing or stressful, and you might feel like you’re falling behind. You’re not. Everyone goes through that. You just have to keep going and not give up on yourself.
You’re also going to face challenges like balancing school, work, and your personal life. It won’t always be easy, but you’ll figure it out. You’re stronger than you think.
My advice is to ask for help when you need it, stay focused, and don’t be so hard on yourself. You don’t have to be perfect you just have to keep trying.
You’re going to grow into someone more confident and capable. Just trust the process.
—Your Future Self
My goal is to have a career in healthcare where I can help people and make a difference. In the next two years, I plan to finish my classes and keep gaining experience in healthcare settings. I want to keep improving my skills, especially in patient care and communication.
In the next five years, I want to become a registered nurse and work in a hospital or clinic. I want to be in a position where I can care for patients, support them, and be part of a healthcare team. I also want to keep learning and growing in my career.
My goals connect to the idea of Ikigai, which is about finding something that you love, that you’re good at, that helps others, and that can be a career. I enjoy helping people, I’m learning healthcare skills, and nurses are always needed. Nursing fits all of these things for me.
In the future, I want to feel proud of what I do and know that I’m making a difference in people’s lives.