Lessons from Nursing School: Skills Learned and Not Used in Practice
Every nursing student enters into a comprehensive educational journey that imparts a wide array of knowledge and skills. However, like many others, I found that not all of what we learned in nursing school found its way into my day-to-day work as a registered nurse (RN). This article explores some of the lessons learned in nursing school that were not immediately useful in my career, and the broader perspective on the value of all that we study.
The Value in Learning Despite Current Practicality
When I was in nursing school, one of the rotations that stood out to me, albeit briefly, was the Psychiatric (Psych) rotation. It comes as no surprise that, in my career, I have not worked in a psychiatric setting. Despite this, some argue that the knowledge gained is applicable, arguing for a mental health-aware perspective. However, when thinking back, I often felt that much of the knowledge there was more akin to common sense rather than specific, advanced skills. This is a common experience for many nursing students as they navigate through the various specialized rotations.
Is Everything Useful in Nursing?
Being an RN is indeed a multifaceted profession. The skills and knowledge garnered during nursing school do contribute to a nurse's overall success, whether or not they are immediately apparent. One perspective suggests that almost nothing learned in school is entirely useless. There were certainly subjects that I found irrelevant at the time, such as maternity care, to which I had little interest. However, as time has passed, some of these subjects have proven surprisingly useful. One can never predict what life will throw at you, and what you once despised might one day be invaluable. This experience often leads to regret and even the desire to have learned more. It serves as a stark reminder that learning never truly ends in a dynamic field like nursing, where science and the world are continually changing.
Practical Skills Not Always Found in Work
During nursing school, certain skills are taught that might seem trivial or not immediately useful in one's career. For example, the “making the mitten” lesson, which taught how to wrap a washcloth around your hand in a certain way for patient care. While this lesson often sparks laughter, it remains a small part of the practice. Similarly, when it comes to bed-making, nursing schools instruct in a specific method that is both useful and often remembered by some but not by others. The application of this skill has been supplanted in some cases by the linen service, which often folds linens in a way that makes the traditional method challenging to follow.
An intriguing element that still holds no practical use for me is Avogadro's number. While it may serve as a personal senility test, I have yet to find a practical application for this concept in my work as an RN. This lack of practical use underscores the fact that not every lesson from nursing school is immediately relevant to one’s career, but the principles and knowledge one acquires do contribute to a broader view of the profession.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the skills and knowledge gained in nursing school can be incredibly varied, and not all are immediately applicable in a nursing career. However, the broader perspective and foundational knowledge provide a solid base for any RN. These lessons, though not always immediately useful, contribute to a more well-rounded understanding of the profession. As science and healthcare continue to evolve, the knowledge and skills gained in nursing school remain crucial for professional growth and development in the field.