Dear Nursing Student,

A letter to nursing students

Dear Nursing Student,

I see you. Staying up late at night, missing meals, feeling absent from your family’s lives. I see you. Not understanding lectures, passing exams by the grace of God, feeling overwhelmed. I see you. I’ve been you. Most importantly, I haven’t forgotten. I still remember what it’s like to be you. I’m not blinded by the letters I sign behind my name. I know sometimes it can feel like no one understands. But, trust me, there are some of us who do. Some of us who see you…and we remember. We remember the 3 hour lectures and pages of notes. We remember the frustration of NCLEX questions and rationales that are as far from rational as your graduation date is away from today. We remember the stares, turned-up noses, and behind-the-back comments from nurses working on our clinical units. Nurses that our instructors told us to pay no attention to, nurses we vowed to never become. We didn’t all forget. I’ll take a leap of faith, and speak for all of us who haven’t forgotten. We believe in you. We believe that you can do great things. Hard things. Extraordinary things. It may take more than one try, but please don’t quit. Don’t give up. Nursing is the career of miracles. Miraculous things are happening every day. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Listen, learn, and trust yourself. You are so much more capable than you believe. Just like my daddy always told me, “You’re never as good as you think you are, but you’re never as bad as you think you are either.” You are going to do great things. Wonderful things. But…I need you to KNOW you can get there. You can and you will. We are cheering for you. We are in your corner. You have cheerleaders you don’t even know about. Our pom-poms are ready! The megaphones are out! We are ready to celebrate your victory with you! But to get there, you must NOT quit!

Respectfully,

A.G.

9 comments

  1. Colette says:

    A.G.,
    wow, Thank you for this fabulous letter. I am a Nursing student who received it from a friend. It warmed my heart and made me smile. Of course, I shared it with my class. They all loved it as well. Thanks! We will be graduating this June. I can’t wait to get my footing and help another along!

    Thanks for your light~ I feel in out in Graham, WA!

    Warmly,
    Colette

    • Ashley "A.G." Griffin says:

      Hi Colette! Thank you so much for visiting the site and leaving me a comment. I am absolutely blown away! I am so very thankful that my letter touched you and you shared it with your classmates! I am so excited for your journey and proud of your accomplishments. Best of all to you in the future. Keep being and spreading the light! -A.G.

      • Siobahn Lacey says:

        Hello, thank you for this letter, I will be starting nursing school in the spring of 2020. I’m super nervous about starting school, however, I will never give up on my dream of becoming a nurse. A friend sent me this link and I’m grateful for it….

        • Ashley "A.G." Griffin says:

          Congratulations!! That is so awesome and I am so glad that you are going after your dreams! Thank you for sharing and I hope that this letter keeps you going!!

  2. Santana Hands says:

    Thank you soooo…much as I was reading this message tears began to fall. In the beginning I felt like some what giving up but I know that I have more faith in myself that I can get the job done. This was a booster for me and This really touched my heart again thank you! I am grateful to have a second chance at prospering. I know I have the confidence within me to know that I can do it. I will hold my head up high and be a great example for my fellow classmate and most of all my children.

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