I am blessed.

I completed my first clinical day in the ICU.

It was twelve long, tiresome hours.

However, I gained an appreciation for things I normally take for granted:

1. I can walk without anyone helping me

2. I can breathe without support from a machine

3. I can talk and communicate easily

4. For the most part, my life has been pain free

5. I don't need to poke my finger every two hours to manage my bloodsugar

6. I can eat without the help of tubes going down my nose/throat/stomach

7. I'm not confined to a bed

8. My heart works properly without help from any medications

9. If something gets caught in my throat I can cough it up by myself

10. I don't have to live in fear and confusion because I always know who and where I am.

I was drawn to nursing because I love helping people.

The more I see these individuals struggle, the more grateful I become for my own blessings.

I'm thankful that I'm learning how to take my blessings and make a difference in life.

As much as I complain about the difficulty of the nursing program, I absolute love it.

I love the opportunities it provides for me to learn, grow and help others.

Lastly, I want to share the third verse of Lord, I Would Follow Thee.

A phrase of this is posted in the NLC and it reminds me of why I'm working so hard.

It truly summarizes how I feel as a nurse striving to follow the Savior's example.

"I would be be my brother's keeper, 

I would learn the healer's art.

To the wounded and the weary, 

I would show a gentle heart.

I would be my brother's keeper-

Lord, I would follow thee."