March 7, 2025
Every year, the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care provides an opportunity for students to hear from graduates working as nursing professionals in various fields about their actual job-hunting experiences and post-graduation careers. This year, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and online participation.
A total of 53 students participated both in person and online. They heard from Ms. A, a midwife; Ms. O, a school nurse; Ms. T, a first-year nurse; and Ms. I, a second-year nurse, who spoke mainly about their own job-hunting experiences and their current work.
All four speakers shared their experiences with a vibrant sparkle in their eyes. Their stories included hardships, painful moments, and times they almost gave up. Nevertheless, the students were deeply impressed by the episodes of overcoming difficulties while reaffirming their goals, dreams, and the determination they had during their job search. The sight of these four graduates continuing to walk their own paths so vividly was very striking.
After the talks, time was set aside for in-person student attendees to chat with the graduates. The students listened so intently to their seniors that some commented there was not enough time. Many of the participating students seemed to feel that they now had a clearer image of job hunting, that it was an opportunity to think about their own careers, and that their current challenges had become clearer.
Because nursing is a profession that deals with people's lives and health, the students were able to learn from their seniors the importance of carefully discerning their own path and the characteristics of potential employers, and of choosing an environment where they can continue to nurture their personal nursing philosophy.
We will continue to value these opportunities for graduates and current students of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care to interact and reflect on their respective careers and the future of nursing.