By Jennifer Vargas | January 16, 2021 2:00 p.m.

Nursing School

You got into nursing school, so what can you expect?

Passing the TEAS was just one tiny aspect.

Delete your streaming services, there’s no time for Disney plus

Hope you like all-nighters; soon you’ll be just as tired as us.

Studying for exams, forget what you’ve done in the past

You must choose the “best answer” out of all the right ones asked.

When in doubt, handwashing and prioritize by ABCs

Memorizing won’t help, you have to critically think with these.

You’ll learn that nursing school isn’t always black and white

And clinicals will allow first–hand experience with fight or flight.

Soon you’ll learn how to take vitals, what’s considered the norm

The importance of being on time and dressing in full uniform.

At first you may be uneasy, you’ll learn to take it slow

Soon the skill will be mastered and your confidence will grow.

At times you might feel overwhelmed, reach out when in need

There are so many resources available to help you to succeed.  

You might be the first nurse in your family, or be fulfilling a dream

Remind yourself why you’re here when the program feels extreme.

Don’t be alarmed if you cry, we’ve all been down that road,

When you get to the end, your hard work will have showed.

Be proud of the journey you’ve started, your hard work got you in

You can make it through this program and earn that nursing pin.

Never give up on yourself, you’re stronger than you know

And remember nurses run on coffee and an extra shot of espresso!

This poem was submitted by MSJC student Jennifer Vargas, a Licensed Vocational Nurse and President of the South West Association of Nursing Students (SWANS).