I was sorting through my photos the other day (yes old school real life photos) and found a bunch of old photos from me as a student and also from my new grad years. 

They reminded me so much of everything I have gone through in the last decade as a nurse. I just thought that I would share them with you!

Oh wow, this brings back so many memories. The truth is, this was after one of my first OSCAs. An OSCA is one of the practical assessments the uni does in their labs. It was in my first year. I loved nursing but totally went to jelly in this assessment. I just scraped a pass. My confidence was shaken. I remember the assessor being cold and not encouraging.  But I tried to laugh and joke with all my uni friends as they told me how well they went. 

Ah, another one. Finishing my grad year. The whole world lay at my feet. I was so pumped and excited. I had already had a few emotional knocks that year. I wish now looking at this excited young lady that I had started working on stress and burnout. But I didn’t. It wasn’t discussed. There was no warning. It would build up until one day crying in the toilets at work, I questioned if it was time to quit. 

This is a more recent photo! Like night and day. To me- speaking from the inside. Would you believe this picture was taken in April at the height of the pandemic. But I was back in scrubs and thrilled to feel like a ‘real’ nurse again. But this time it was different. I was prepared to calm my stress post shifts and also I had found my place in the nursing world. I am happy! 

Wow, it’s amazing how things have changed for me. If someone had told me in the past that I would be where I am today, I would have just smiled politely in disbelief.

I am so grateful for everything that I have gone through… even the failures! It was horrible back then and I wouldn’t wish for anyone to experience what I have been through, but my experiences have made me so much stronger.

These photos may seem like random photos to you, but they hold so much significance for me. They show me the times, places and feelings that I can draw on to help people. I think student nurses need my support. I think new grads and experienced nurses need my support. It is those at the start of the journey or really anyone, anywhere along the path, who can benefit from stress prevention, which I am really dedicated to providing. 

Anyone reading this who feels they need some help should start here with our Love Your Work course. Click here for more info. 

Thank you for going down memory lane with me.  Here’s to creating many more memories with you all.