Nursing bunch stick together, fulfill dream
CON degree recipient describes espirit de corps attitude,challenges among second-career graduates
by Lynnette Sheppard, R.N.
Academic Vice-President
College of Nursing, Class of May 2002
Since August of 2000, the path of our lives has been forever entwined. For good or bad, all of us have become a part of each other. We have shared pictures of each other’s spouses, girlfriends, boyfriends, children, grandchildren, and even our pets, We have laughed and cried together. We have carried each other’s burdens and lifted each other’s loads. At times (probably the majority of times), we have felt that the weight of nursing school was just too great to bear. Look around, we have endured.
Our class has been through much adversity, perhaps more than any other graduating class. A professor battled for her life in the ICU after a terrible car accident. A classmate was cruelly assaulted. A classmate suffered a miscarriage. A classmate’s husband was diagnosed with a heart condition. A professor’s brother had a fatal heart attack. A classmate had heart surgery. A classmate was severely injured in a car accident, which, by the way was caused by a nurse driving under the influence. A professor lost her dear father. Many classmates received diamond rings and started planning their weddings. Some wedding rings were removed—due to broken relationships. For several months, a classmate bore the news that her unborn child may have serious birth defects. In the end, the blessing of a healthy child greeted her. And of course, there were the burdens that were so personal that we dare not share with anyone else.
David
McCowan, Rose Mary Spellman, Lisa Oliver, Lisa Spinelli, Jenny Farley,
Sara Kohlbrenner, Gloria Wilson, Robin Rudd, Phyllis Robinette, Lynnette
Sheppard, and Jennie Palm.
Of all the events that took place in the last two years we may have forgotten some or we may not have realized that they took place at all. However, all of us will remember the one event that changed our lives and the lives of every person across America. Indeed, Sept. 11, 2001 will, for a lifetime, burn in our hearts and memories.
We will remember where we were and what we were doing. We will remember being in clinical and watching the news reports as if it were a dream. We will remember the tears and the prayers for the many victims and their families. We will also remember our classmate, Sedric Simmons, who was called to duty and had to forfeit graduating with our class. We will remember his words as he spoke of the honor he felt to be called to defend our country. Up to this point nursing school was an all-consuming fire. Sept. 11 changed that.
Our lives were brought to attention of the truly important things in life, mainly our families. Our families that sat in the shadows while the obligations of nursing school took precedence. Our families that took a back seat to the papers, the projects, the exams. Sept. 11 had a way of putting all of that into perspective.
Yes, the events of the past two years have and will continue to shape our lives for years to come. Now, as nursing graduates, the opportunity is ours to impact the lives of the many who fall into our path. Let’s pray that unlike the destruction that was wrought on the 11th day of September, that as nurses, we will leave a legacy of hope and kindness to the many lives that will undoubtedly be touched by our healing hands.
Look around, we have endured!