Life events. Situations that make us stronger. Things that are difficult. Growth. Good things. Endings. New beginnings. These all lead to transitions.

Yesterday I attended the pinning ceremony for my 4th semester nursing students. Today was graduation. I love going to pinning because it is such a big celebration of the journey towards becoming a registered nurse. The students always look so proud. Their families and friends are smiling. I love to hear where the students will be going to begin their nursing careers.

There is some pride knowing I was a part of their journey. I helped a little to pave the way. Will some of the students remember me? I still remember my favorite college professor…Mr. Robinson. He taught his students to really see the world around them. He was a writer, so when I sit down to write these blogs I fondly remember sitting in his writing class.

Today I hugged my students. I congratulated them. I told them how proud I am of them. Two students hugged me at the same time, telling me “Thank you!” Then one of them told me me I had been the calm in the middle of the storm. I will never forget that.

As they venture out into the world to begin their nursing careers the next step is passing their boards. After that they start to gain experience and confidence in their new roles. They have proven they have what it takes to endure transitions –from newbie nursing student to first time caring for patients in the clinical setting to a capstone experience in which they gained autonomy to graduation. I wish them all the very best. I am proud to now call them my colleagues.