Nursing should not be viewed as a job or a task, but as a service to and service with others to ensure individuals have the best quality of life possible.
Over the past month, being my second month off of orientation as a nurse, I have come to reflect more on what has brought me to the career of nursing. Throughout my time at Avila University, where I received my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, I greatly appreciated the values that drove my education and my success. I have reflected more and more upon these values and have seen how they have flourished in my career as a nurse thus far; I hope to continually grow with and have a deeper understanding of these values in years to come.
As the recipient of the Jeanne Collins Thompson Award while at Avila University, awarded to the top graduating student that best lives out the mission and values of Avila University, I was blessed and had the privilege to be the commencement speaker amongst my graduating class. This experience gave me the opportunity to not only share my reflection on the mission and values of Avila University but also to share with all the graduates and guests at the ceremony how I believe we can live a life of service with others and with our dear neighbors, terminology used quite often by Avila University that I have grown to appreciate.
I would like to share a bit of my commencement speech. Without a doubt, I can say Avila University has played a vital role in the nurse I have become and the nurse I see myself becoming. Nursing; a career that I view as not a job or a task, but as a service with and for others. A portion of my commencement speech reads:
The values of Avila inspire us to live out a life for others. Avila values excellence in teaching and learning; the worth, dignity, and potential of each human being; diversity and its expression; the development of the whole person; right relationship with God, self, others, and creation; and service with the dear neighbor. While all of these values have deeply impacted my life, I would like to share a brief reflection on a couple of them.
Worth, dignity, and potential of each human being … no matter race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, how one may identify themselves, and one's past, everyone should be treated with respect and kindness. Love without distinction and look past societal barriers; recognize individuals not for their mistakes in life, but for who they truly are; do not make assumptions about others before knowing their life story; and rejoice in seeing others succeed. Mother Teresa put it this way … "Spread love everywhere you go and let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
Service with the dear neighbor … Our dear neighbors are near and far; rich and poor; of all religions; the homeless; the imprisoned; the immigrant; all God's people. The dear neighbor is everyone who is part of our world and has a story to share.
My third-grade teacher shared the following quote with me … "Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire". I would like to share with you what this quote means to me personally.
Be fearless …
In life, we are often defeated by so many fears. The fear of not fitting in, the fear of not being good enough, the fear of failure, the fear of being in relationship with our dear neighbors, the fear of the unknown … Everyone has the ability to be fearless, no matter the realities they face.
In the pursuit of …
What are we pursuing in our lives and why? Are we living our lives in the simple pursuit of earthly riches and comforts? Or are we living in pursuit of a greater purpose, be that of a life well lived, of leaving an impact on the world, or of the promises of our faith?
What sets your soul on fire …
I hope we all are searching for this feeling. For some of us this may be family and friends, for others this may be our career or service with those around us, and even for others this may be faith. Seek what sets your soul on fire and keeps your flame burning throughout life.
As I reflect back on when I gave this commencement speak, the moment was truly surreal and so special. I can remember getting chills when I was speaking to the thousands of people that filled the space. I felt so small, yet so powerful with the message I was conveying.
Day in and day out, I can see how Avila has shaped me as a nurse. Being a nurse is much more than caring for individuals. As humans, too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest accomplishment, or the smallest act of caring, yet all of which have the potential to turn a life around. As a nurse I am an educator, a healer, a listener, an advocate, a collaborator, a coordinator, a caregiver, someone for a patient to confide in, a shoulder to cry on, and so on. Nursing is a career centered around the good and well-being of others; a career of service; a career, in which, lives are consistently touched by the nurses and by the patients. I am blessed and it is truly a beautiful site when a passion and career come together.
With love,
Lauren
