September 2021 | Page 75

and clinicals in person to abruptly being placed in online lectures and clinicals . What was only supposed to be one week of online schooling led to an entire semester . At the same time , many students who were employed in some sort of health care facility were thrust into the frontlines of the pandemic , putting themselves and those they love at risk . Many of us also picked up fulltime hours while continuing school full time . I worked three different jobs : the nursing home , the rescue and the hospital . I was wearing N95s for more than eight hours a day . I had acne breakouts and irritated skin from the overuse of cleaning supplies . Through the rescue , I became trained in how to COVID-swab individuals , and we set up weekly testing for our town employees . All while trying to acclimate to the difference that online schooling created .

Thank you to all front line nurses and healthcare workers .

Now more than ever , the world needs quality healthcare professionals . That ’ s why we created a place where you can turn your passion for helping people into possibility .

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING NURSE ? Do not be afraid to ask questions . Be confident and learn from all your experiences , both lecture and clinical . Focus on creating good studying habits , and if you need to , make a study group or go to a tutor . Also , don ’ t worry about how long school may take you . If you do not graduate in four years , that is okay . The degree will be there , and the job offers will still come .

Tara Brown

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NEIT . edu / CHS | 401-739-5000

Make retirement a destination .

Your family and friends will love visiting you here in historic Mystic . StoneRidge is set on 32 beautiful acres less than three miles from downtown Mystic , Mystic Aquarium , Mystic Seaport Museum and the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center with 10 miles of hiking trails to explore .

With that , I partnered with Dr . Barron , the Aubin Center ’ s director , who was also interested in a resident dog for her own program and we went on to develop the Canine Comfort Program in 2019 . It includes two resident dogs , Cali and Nemo , and their employee handlers , and it allows the dogs to stay in patient rooms during procedures and difficult conversations . Dogs provide a comforting presence to reduce anxiety , increase communication and improve care for pediatric patients and their families especially during times of emotional vulnerability .

HAS A PATIENT EVER CHANGED YOUR OUTLOOK ON NURSING ? A few have changed not only the way I think about nursing , but the way I think about life . They have helped me grow in ways I would have never imagined were possible . Throughout my career , I have met children wise beyond their years . They are

Photograph taken at Mystic Seaport Museum

A Life Plan Community

To schedule a visit , call 860-572-4494 or go to www . StoneRidgeLCS . com

186 Jerry Browne Road | Mystic , CT 06355

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