Clinicals

I just finished my second week of clinicals at LA county hospital.

It has been just as scary as I thought it would be, but in spite of the gut-churning, adrenaline-pumping, hair graying, and nerve-stealing nature of my experiences, I ended the week feeling... confident. Proud. Humbled. Strengthened by what I've done. Softened by what I've seen.

I've seen people in a lot of pain. I've seen people lose things that no person should have to lose. I've seen people survive terrible things and still radiate grace and kindness. I've seen people bravely choosing to make the best of a difficult situation. I've been inspired by the confident, compassionate care of the nurses around me.

I helped people in tiny ways that mattered, and stepped into a role I didn't know I was ready for. 

I was made to feel helpless in the face of challenges I could not fix. 

I feel more confident now than ever that I can do this, and that this will be hard, but worth doing.