Their Eyes Were Watching

It is no secret that the nursing profession, education, and clinical practice are all dynamic environments morph adjust to health needs trends of nation world. What also not a growing challenges meet demands straining current infrastructure our care system. In settings, some these issues can be attributed financial, emotional, mental, physical impact pandemic has lasted more than 2 years. This toll resulted in colleagues shifting positions, retiring, or leaving profession altogether. it faculty having swiftly find alternate ways provide necessary education continue produce graduates. Additionally, experienced retirement wave among leadership an exit for lucrative opportunities. “mass exodus” both settings gaps leadership, unclosed communication loops between strenuous working environments. Through challenges, there been so much focus on nurse practitioners (NPs) NP one very important group overlooked – students. Yes, we shifted roles ensure their continued students during early days COVID-19 were able enter workforce safe timely manner. However, novice NPs whose experience programs was met with mixed responses from those us experienced. They either received open arms because perceived any hand helping skepticism resentment altered educational journey. Can you imagine being student this time? Just think, applied accepted into your program. Classes practicums going well then BOOM! Everything shut down. closed business. You wait anxiously updates about ability progress respective Meanwhile, dealing fear exposure novel virus, potential social isolation support system, financial uncertainty, other external program experience. Your quest grow develop as come earth-shattering halt. journey now tainted by dark cloud had control neither did preceptors. As world began “open up” again, resumed adapted. resilient. Even new normal which even challenging secure, they have persisted. Some success own personal traits, I think professionals extraordinary job modeling professionalism, resilience, patience, communication, calmness time none ever The way nursing, its brand, future seen through each eyes watching. work diligently recover pandemic’s let forget who graduated past 3 years currently pipeline. Greet them empathy begin journey, attempt secure within organizations, transition role, non-nursing related. Though title editorial play classic literary piece Zora Neale Hurston, message aligns couple messages her book. Our figure out how fit profession. seeking fulfill passion spiritual desire improve serve. We may physically, mentally, emotionally weary but remember watching learning navigate peaks valleys newfound role NPs. once shoes nurtured developed great now. recall at least 1 member preceptor significantly influenced development. critical ushered would promote satisfaction retention most trusted appreciated will know pair always