Editor’s note: As we develop the JWOW platform, we will be exploring diverse new categories. This vignette is part of the ‘Reinvention‘ series. Is there something that you are reinventing for yourself ? Accepting pieces up to 700 words.
Last week was National Nurses Week—a chance to celebrate all the incredible nurses out there doing life-changing work every day. As a first-year nursing student, I’m still very much at the beginning of this journey, but the week got me thinking about how much I’ve already learnt—not just about nursing, but about myself.
Starting uni was a big leap. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but I knew it would be challenging. What I didn’t expect was how quickly I’d start growing, shifting my mindset, and finding moments of joy (and chaos) in the middle of it all. In honour of National Nurses Week, here are three things I’ve discovered so far:
1. It’s OK to Be a Novice
I’ve realised it’s completely fine not to have all the answers. In fact, that’s kind of the point. Everyone starts somewhere, and I’ve had to learn to embrace being new, being unsure, and sometimes feeling totally out of my depth. There’s no shame in asking questions or making mistakes—it’s how we learn, and it’s how we’ll grow into capable, confident nurses.
2. Deep Diving Into Assignments Is Weirdly Enjoyable (and Stressful)
Who knew I’d actually get invested in researching health topics or breaking down clinical case studies? Don’t get me wrong—it can be stressful and overwhelming—but there’s also something really rewarding about pulling everything together and feeling like it’s actually starting to make sense. The brain overload is real, but so is the satisfaction.
3. Being Tested by Yoshi, my 8-Year-Old is the Best Kind of Encouragement
One of the most unexpected (and honestly, heartwarming) parts of this journey has been getting my 8-year-old to help me study. He loves asking me questions with my flashcards before exams, and it’s turned into this fun little ritual. It keeps things light when the pressure is on—and it feels great knowing they’re seeing firsthand what it looks like to work hard, keep learning, and chase something meaningful.
There’s still a long road ahead, but already I feel proud of what I’m learning—not just in the textbooks, but about myself. If National Nurses Week is reminding me of anything, it’s that the heart of nursing is growth, compassion, and showing up—whether you’re a seasoned nurse or just starting out.
Here’s to all the nurses out there—and to those of us just finding our footing fresh up. We’re on our way.
