This experience of being a student nurse was so layered by history and experience that it formed my beliefs, assumptions, and values (BAVs). I grew up in a family where caring for and serving others were the primary values and I knew first-hand the power of helping people. My father, a practicing physician, and my mother, a nurse, impressed me with their work to heal and serve their patients. Their example showed me a new appreciation for compassion, integrity, perseverance and responsibility, which is now my guiding principles as I grow my nursing practice.

Empathy has been the foundation of my life growing up, and it’s still the basis of my practice as a nursing student. As my parents cared for patients, and treated them with compassion and empathy, I learned to appreciate the value of connecting with people on an individual level, taking into account their concerns, and listening to their emotional needs. This view informs the way I think about patients when in my clinical practice, and how I provide them with a kind, welcoming space.

The same importance was placed on integrity when my parents worked. They taught us the value of being truthful, moral and reliable in every care-giving situation. As a nursing student, I seek to pass this value on by building confidence with patients, colleagues, and faculty through honesty and ethical choices in all areas of learning and practice.

I also learned toughness from my parents, who managed to walk through the rigors and demands of health care with grace and perseverance. This philosophy has influenced how I view myself as a student who navigated the stresses of a rigorous nursing program. It inspires me to keep learning and providing quality care even when the situation is stressful.

Third, I learned to be very responsible by example of them. They always took ownership of their actions and strived to do their best: they believed in being trustworthy and improving. As a student, I try to model this value by always paying attention to how I perform, asking for my opinion, and holding myself accountable for learning and progress in the world of nursing.

My own personal experience with healthcare, both good and bad, have reinforced my belief in providing a care that honors each individual’s dignity and enables overall wellbeing. As I watched my parents navigate medical mazes and never lose sight of the needs of their patients, I was taught that nursing is a calling, not a profession. Throughout nursing school, I feel driven to use my skills, kindness and activism to touch people’s lives and improve the profession of nursing.