Cultivate Your Garden
I love this time of year for several reasons. One reason is my garden. It is in full bloom, and I can really see the tangible results of all my hard work as the plants mature and grow.
I was thinking about how important good structure and foundation plants are for a successful garden, and I began thinking about the new NP students who are getting ready to start their foundation work. The process is not unlike the labor of love a garden requires.
I remember how challenging juggling a career, family and school could be at times. Success comes, and graduation will happen despite the occasional weeds that pop up. Visualizing the big picture and celebrating small successes will help you grow into your new role as an NP.
Like a mature garden this will take time and patience. Great mentors and preceptors are like the sun and rain. Soak up all you can from them. As you learn new skills you'll become stronger and more confident each day. You will begin to find your niche, your own special way of practicing. Before you realize it, you'll be ready for your boards and then your first job. You'll continue to grow and change just like our gardens do.
Sometimes trying something new is in order, and sometimes the familiar seems just right. Look forward to the end result of all your hard work, but don't forget to step back and enjoy the process and revel in how far you've come.
Lynn Schiff, NP, is the owner of Advanced Practice Solutions, a recruiting firm specializing in permanent and temporary nurse practitioner placements. www.advancedpracticesolutions.com