Like most professions, a career in nursing is full of rewarding moments and challenging ones, wins and setbacks, highs and lows. Parkview team members, Katie Harris, MSN, RN, RNC-MNN, supervisor, Student Nursing Program, Shawn Knapp, MSN, RN, supervisor, Student Nurse Program, and Mary Hunt, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, manager, Student Nurse Program, offered their guidance for those at the starting block of their caregiving journey.
What advice would you offer someone considering a career in nursing?
Shawn: Resilience and compassion are just as important as clinical skills. Learn from every experience including those with nursing mentors and patients. Remember self-care is important and don’t lose sight of caring for yourself as you care for others. You can impact patients and peers in the smallest moments. Nursing is a calling, and you can truly change lives.
Katie: Do your research. Arrange for an observation day with a nurse to get a realistic view of what being a nurse means. Some people don’t understand all the things that nurses are responsible for. Sometimes after students have started a program, they decide that it’s not what they thought. It is also important that they realize how many opportunities are available in the nursing profession. We are in so many different places, not just hospitals and doctor’s offices.
Mary: Nurses must have an emotional and philosophical awareness to care for others at their most vulnerable. Students can be validated on the skills needed to be successful in nursing. However, compassion, empathy, and caring come from within. Talk to a nurse, job shadow, or work as a CNA. Take time to reflect on these experiences.
How would you advise current nursing students to excel in school and beyond?
Shawn: Nursing is more than mastering clinical skills; it is about forming a professional identity rooted in empathy, accountability, and lifelong growth. Reflect often on who you are and the kind of nurse you want to become. Engage deeply with your coursework, seek mentorship, and embrace every clinical experience as a chance to grow. Your identity as a nurse is shaped not just by what you learn, but by how you show up- with purpose, presence, and heart.
Katie: Nursing school is tough; there is no denying that. Find a classmate that you can study with and work through the program together. It is beneficial to have a friend to lean on, study with and that will understand what you are going through. A strong support system is important not only while in school, but throughout your career. No one understands a nurse, like a nurse.
Mary: Ask questions! You do not know what you do not know. Every new situation and clinical assignment will increase your experience and critical thinking skills. Seek new learning opportunities during your clinical rotations. Be organized. Stay positive. Always be willing to learn. Give yourself grace to learn and gain experience. Remember that nursing is life-long learning, and you will gain insight as you grow in this wonderful profession.
What do you wish you had been told when you began your own nursing education?
Shawn: It’s not just learning procedures and passing exams- it’s about discovering your values, building resilience, and shaping your professional identity. I wish I had known that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, to ask for help, and to not have all the answers right away. The journey is tough, but every challenge helps you become the kind of nurse you’re meant to be. Stay grounded in who you are, lean into your strengths, and trust that your unique perspective will make a difference in the lives you touch.
Katie: Nursing school was a bit different 27 years ago when I started, but I wish I had been told about self-care. There were so many days that I struggled with trying to find a balance with going to school full-time and working part-time. I did not allow anytime for myself to recharge. It is truly important to realize that you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Mary: Adults learn in diverse ways, so it is important to identify the learning style that works best for you. This will increase your success in retaining the information when studying and preparing for exams. I had to learn how to study for nursing exams. Good self-care will help avoid burnout and minimize stress. Personalize your self-care to help you maintain that practice.
Learn more about a nursing career at Parkview, visit us here.
