Rose Kincaid

Final Analysis
From a very early age, I had the desire and compassion to help others in times of need. I
remember wanted to help the special needs children in my school and for others who I would
find struggling with various difficulties. Upon completion of high school, I had hoped to enter
nursing school but life had other plans for me. I got married and started raising a family.
Marriage and motherhood suited me well but I always remembered my dream of becoming a
nurse.
My journey to nursing school started when I was 40 years old by taking a refresher
course in algebra. After taking several other courses for the next 4 years, I was ready to apply to
nursing school and I chose Bon Secours Memorial School of Nursing. Upon entrance to the
school, I had this idea of what nursing would be like. By the end of nursing school, I would
realize that I was way off the mark.
The first 2 years of nursing school were enjoyable and I did well academically. The first
year included many of the general educational classes such as English, biology, introduction to
psychology, biology, anatomy/physiology, microbiology, nutrition, and an art elective. Also in
the first year, I attended my first nursing course; Foundations of Nursing. This class exposed me
to the thought process of nursing and how a nurse is to think. My second year of nursing
included professional nursing concepts, health assessments, and competences of nursing. This
was also the year where I was able to work with patients and to have hands-on experience caring
for the patient with basic care and some medication administration. In health assessments and
competences I, I learned to do a head-to-toe assessment of a patient along with providing basic
care such as bathing, feeding, and oral care. I also learned to give medications either orally,

Rose Kincaid
transdermal, IV, or through injection with a needle; intramuscular or subcutaneous. The true
challenges which created real growth in my knowledge, skills and attitude, came in my final 3
years of nursing school. Along with attending nursing school, I had some family challenges to
deal with which took a great toll on me but I survived. With ANS I, I saw the beginnings of what
nursing is truly about. Along with lecture which delved into the pathology of disease processes,
clinical practicum allows the student to apply their knowledge and skills to helping patients
achieve health goals. Concept maps were also a way for me and my classmates to be able to put
the pieces of the puzzle together to see the whole picture of what was going on with our patient.
At first, it was a struggle to complete these concept maps and hard to see the purpose of them.
But by the end of the semester of ANS II, I could see the purpose of the concept map and began
to truly appreciate the assignment. This helped me grow in my knowledge of the disease process
and how we treat the patient to help them achieve their health goals.

After ANS I and II,

my nursing experiences continued with mental health, pathopharmacology, and professional role
development. I was able to use past experiences working in special education to apply in mental
health as I had worked with student that had behavioral problems. Along with my past
experiences and my new experiences with mental health practicum, I learned new and innovative
ideas on how to help those with mental disorders which nurses deal with in and outside mental
facilities.
In my next semester two semesters, I was able to take Nursing Care of Women in
Childbearing Families, Care of Children and Families, and Gerontology. Even though the
courses were challenging, I had gain confidence and experience from my previous courses. I
thoroughly enjoyed working with new mothers and their infants and working with children since
I had a background in elementary education. Gerontology was very helpful in understanding the

Rose Kincaid
specific needs of our elderly patients. This is a growing population that all nurses must address.
Our largest population of patients is the elderly. This course also came a good time for me as I
am dealing with the care of my aging parents. My instructor was wonderful in helping me
outside of course work to learn how I could help my parents.
As I come to the end of my nursing school adventure, I am looking toward the future past
my graduation. I have accepted a position on an Oncology unit that cares for more than cancer
patients and medical/surgical patients. The unit also cares for hospice patients and their families.
There are hospice nurses on the unit for whom I have become acquainted. I am very much
interested in pursuing a career as a hospice nurse and have found myself in a perfect position to
explore this field. I truly feel that it is a calling that has been placed on my heart to help families
through these difficult times.