More Than Scrubs and Skills, It's Soul Work

    I still remember the moment I walked into the hospital for my first clinical duty, not quite sure what I was getting into. The constant movement of doctors, nurses, and staff created a rhythm I wasn't yet a part of.  It felt like I had entered an entirely different world. As a nursing student, I had spent countless hours studying patient care, but witnessing it firsthand, seeing the compassion, the urgency, the teamwork was something no textbook could truly prepare me for. That day, I realized that nursing isn't just about knowledge, it's about presence, empathy, and learning to stay grounded in the middle of chaos.

    Our clinical duty takes place every Monday and Tuesday, so I built a morning routine to help me stay on track. I wake up at 4 a.m., giving myself enough time to get ready without feeling rushed. I start by preparing myself up, then I carefully pack all my duty essentials. It has become a quiet moment of preparation, both physical and mental, where I set my intentions and try to calm my nerves before stepping into the fast-paced hospital environment.

    I always make it a point to arrive early at our assigned hospital, which gives me a bit of quiet time before the day really begins. I usually wait for my duty mates so we can head to the nurse's station together. Once I get to the designated student lounge, I start getting ready by organizing my paraphernalia and making sure my tickler is neat and updated with any notes or reminders for the day.

    If we have a team leader assigned, they'll usually brief us and assign our patients for the shift. Once I know who I'm handling, I head straight to the patient’s chart to gather all the necessary information like their diagnosis, medications, ongoing care plans which is everything I need to provide proper and safe care. Around 6 a.m., the staff nurses begin their rounds, and we join them to check in on our assigned patients. It’s a great opportunity to observe how they assess, communicate, and make decisions. After the rounds, we start taking our patients’ vital signs and document them accurately in their charts. One of the most meaningful parts of our routine is the Nurse-Patient Interaction (NPI). This is when we take time to build rapport not just with the patient, but also with their family. It’s more than just a task, it’s a chance to connect on a human level, to listen, to comfort, and to be present.

What is one memorable clinical experience or lesson you learned?

    For me, every clinical duty has been a memorable learning experience. Each rotation offered something new, skills I had only read about suddenly became real and hands-on. During my very first rotation, I learned how to prepare and administer feeding through a nasogastric tube (NGT), how to properly prepare medications, read and interpret a patient’s chart, assist with morning care, and create a thorough, detailed nursing care plan. All of it felt overwhelming at first, but also incredibly rewarding. In another rotation, I had the chance to care for a postpartum mother. I learned how to monitor the fetal heart rate and was able to observe how IV fluids were regulated, something that used to seem so technical in books but made much more sense in person.

    But out of all these moments, the one that stands out the most was the first time I got to write in the nurse’s chart and sign my name. It might seem small to some, but for me, it was a milestone. It made me feel like I was truly stepping into the role of a nurse, not just a student watching from the sidelines. That signature felt like a symbol of trust, responsibility, and growth. It reminded me how far I’ve come and how much more I’m capable of learning.

    With the help of advanced technologies, when I encounter a medication that I’m not familiar with, technology allows me to quickly look it up - checking its mechanism of action, possible side effects, and any warnings. This is especially important because not all medications, particularly newer ones, are covered in our textbooks. Having access to reliable online resources helps me feel more confident and informed when caring for patients. When it comes to completing my clinical duty requirements like nursing care plans (NCP), drug studies, disease overviews, and learning feedback diaries, I rely heavily on my laptop and the internet. It makes researching, writing, and organizing all those assignments much more efficient and manageable. In the hospital, technology is even more vital. An example is the infusion pump, this device carefully controls the flow of fluids, medications, or nutrients into a patient’s bloodstream at just the right speed. It’s amazing how this technology supports accurate, safe care, especially in critical situations. Without these tools, so much of what nurses do would be slower, less precise, and more stressful.

    This experience has taught me that nursing goes far beyond simply following protocols, it’s about staying curious, being flexible, and showing genuine compassion. Developing my skills and learning to navigate technology with confidence has helped me grow, but what truly motivates me are the meaningful moments I share with patients. I aspire to be a nurse who combines knowledge and empathy, someone who stays calm under pressure and always puts the patient’s well-being at the heart of everything I do. This journey is shaping me into a compassionate and committed caregiver, eager to make a positive impact not just through treatment, but through kindness and understanding as well.

“In the hardest moments, we don’t run — we stay, we care, we fight. Not because it’s easy, but because every life, every heartbeat, every quiet thank you makes it all worth it.”