Quite recently, I was able to realize that being ready and being prepared are things that sound quite similar but actually they’re different. In my understanding of both concepts, I can be prepared and get my way through the responsibilities assigned to me as a student like memorizing return demonstrations, creating concept maps, case presentations, and studying for exams. But, if I want to do things that go beyond the roles of a student and become the nurse  I aspire to be.  It requires being skillful in nurse-patient interactions, grabbing opportunities to perform medical procedures, and most especially, being present in times when an individual and family are vulnerable, serving, and showing compassion. I believe that is the essence of a nurse.

Last April was the last duty day of my surgical ward rotation. I was wearing my Type A uniform carrying a heavy bag, CHN bag, and a 1L water bottle. A heat index of 41 degrees Celsius was announced by Social Media. As I was headed to the hospital around 12 Noon for a PM Shift, I rode a jeepney. As I was sitting on the near end of the jeepney, a mother in her mid 50s and a teenaged son tandem sat by my right side along the way. A few minutes later, I felt a heavy weight on my right shoulder. I immediately shook my head to the right, only to find out that the son’s whole body was shaking violently, and his eyes were rolling back to his skull. The first thing that came into my mind was that it was a seizure, as per my clinical judgment. I immediately looked at my watch and remembered the time to be around 12:27 PM. At that moment, I didn’t feel nervous nor I didn’t feel mentally blocked. It’s as if, by instinct, I knew what to do already. I immediately dropped the things I was carrying and placed them on the floor after looking at my watch. I saw that the son’s head was already moving out the jeepney window and so I gently moved him over towards me allowing him to rest on my legs and in my arms. I saw the nervousness in the mother’s eyes as she was scared of what was happening. She was about to pull his son closer to him and was already restricting his son’s violent shaking. I gently asked the mother “Ma’am kabalo baka sa sakit sa imong anak po?” She replied with a shaky voice, “Bag.o ra siya na kidney transplant, Ma’am.” I replied, “Okay po, Ma’am. Dili lang sa nato i-restrict ang paglihok ni Sir po. Ipahigda ra siya dari sa akoa aron ma protectahan ang iyang ulo. Tangtangon sa nako ni iyang cap ma’am para dili pi-ot and gamiton nako pang cover sa iyang eyes, Ma’am.” I said while explaining what I was doing. “Sa akong pagkablo po ma’am Complication sa Kidney transplant ang Seizures. Unya basin na trigger pud siya sa kainit sa panahon.” I added. And she responded, “Mao ba ma’am. Pasalamat na lang jud ko nga naa ka dari. Unsa na lang kaha kung wala ka.” She said with teary eyes. I immediately bowed my head to her, “Serbisyo sa katawhan lang gyud, Ma’am. Pwede ra nimo hilot-hiloton iyang kamot po.” I looked at my watch and saw it was 12:30 pm already, and the son was no longer shaking violently, he immediately let go of my grasp and hugged his mom. I was rubbing his back and oriented the son, “Sir? Kamusta man imo gibati? Naa ta sa jeep karon po.” He didn’t respond, but as he was hugging his mother, the mother hugged him longingly, looked at me, and mouthed, “Salamat kaayo, Ma’am.”

During that jeepney ride with both the mother and son, I didn’t feel scared or nervous. Rather, I was calm, collected, and focused because at that moment my objective was to truly embody what it means to be an Atenean Student Nurse. One who is passionate to be a woman for others by being ready to extend the skills, knowledge, and attitude as a nurse even outside the clinical duties.

That moment taught me a big lesson: being truly ready isn't about knowing every possible problem but about trusting what you know and acting on it when things get tough. Many nursing students worry they'll freeze up in a crisis, but in reality, our preparation from lecture classes, return demonstrations, and our personal experiences during clinical duties equip us to MANAGE the unexpected. However, I keep in mind that it is only by the heart of compassion and the instinct to serve that carries me to DO the unexpected.

Indeed, the life of a nurse is unpredictable. This reminds me that I can't always anticipate what lies ahead, but that shouldn't deter me from stepping into difficult situations. In fact, it's often in those moments of uncertainty that we discover our true strength and resilience.

As I conclude this narrative, I am reminded that the most profound moments in life often occur when we are least prepared. This applies to the everyday lives of a student nurse and a registered nurse. Rather than fixating on achieving absolute readiness, I want to embrace the beauty of embracing the unknown and trusting in my ability to adapt and overcome.