BECOMING A SOLDIER: TRANSITIONAL EXPERIENCES OF A NURSE TURNED NURSE EDUCATOR

BECOMING A SOLDIER: TRANSITIONAL EXPERIENCES OF A NURSE TURNED NURSE EDUCATOR

-          A HEART OF COURAGE

Every soldier has a brave heart. A heart that can surpass the battlefield and a heart that is fearless. A courageous soldier a man who can give up everything that they have, and take a leap to make a difference in the society. Courage to be better.

As the co-researchers took a leap into two settings of their career: clinical and classroom settings. It is a world that seems to be “new” in terms of their role, responsibility and settings. A new role, from being a staff nurse who cares for the patient and turned into a teacher who cares for the learning of their students. A new responsibility, from focusing on the patient’s wellness and turned into focusing on the students’ grades. And a new setting, from the real world of clinical settings to the everything-must-be-perfect world of academe. They maybe a stranger in a strange land, but it was courage that brought them for that change and a heart that made them stay.

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE

The transition for them wasn’t easy. There will always be struggles and hardship along the way. But a true soldier can endures the hardship and never quit. As they climb the uphill battle of transition, they put a smile on their face and tell the world that giving up was never an option.

The road maybe jarring and foggy. As the co-researchers moved towards the change of their career they are challenged by the new role as an educator. An educator that must teach their students well, an educator that must be appreciated by their students. Appreciated in terms of their appearance, ability to entice the learning process and adapt to the culture in the classroom setting. It was foggy, for the co-researchers was ill-prepared for the new role as an educator, an educator who perpetually teaching the same way as they were taught. Believing that everyone could be a teacher, but not everyone could teach.

Beyond this pressure, still there was an amazing grace that lies within the co-researcher. It was faith. Faithfully believing that at the end of the jarred and fogged road they will win the battle towards a successful transition. Faithfully believing that there will be a lesson learned towards the transition that made them a better persin.

  

-               FIGHTER (Determined, Driven and Dedicated)

A true soldier is a fighter. They are determined, driven and dedicated to their mission. They know their purpose. They know what they are fighting for.

Basically, as the co-researchers moved towards the change in their career they are driven one purpose. It was love. Love for the profession, love for their family and love for themselves. For them it was the best time to share to the next generation the gift of knowledge that the books and experiences have taught them. It was the best option to support their family well financially. It was the best plan for themselves to be better, as a professional and as a person. They are a fighter. They are determined in fulfilling their purpose for the transition. They are driven by the love they have as they moved throughout the journey for change. And they are dedicated in committing for their purpose unconditionally.