CONTACT - Volume 9, Number 1
Poem by: Catherine Longman, Graduating Senior

Ms. Longman read her poem at the December 2001 Convocation.

As we prepare to say goodbye
and go out and get a job on our own,
I can't help to think back over the last couple of years
and remember all of our laughs, sighs, and groans.

At first getting up at 5am seemed absurd,
but quickly it became routine.
I soon realized that to survive 12 hour shifts
you need tons of coffee and lots of caffeine.

Sometime during nursing division ,
I'm not exactly sure when,
Gross talks about embarrassing bodily functions
became a normal part of discussions with friends.

I remember when we were first asked to write Care Plans.
I had no idea what they were about,
so I ignorantly asked what they entailed,
and boy did I regret finding out!

It is very important to document everything.
Otherwise they might throw a fit.
There is a phrase we were repeatedly reminded of.
"If it wasn't documented then you did not do it."

The nursing process was pounded into our brains.
Let me make sure I have it straight:
assess, diagnosis, and plan,
then implement and evaluate.

The white nursing uniform is something I never understood.
I think about how many of them have probably been ruined.
I think a dark color would have been much better
for nurses who deal with projectile bodily fluid.

Anxiety before clinicals
is something many of us came to fear.
But it could have been much worse.
At 5am, no one's brain is too clear.

There are many things about nursing division I'll always remember.
Time sure did fly by fast.
I know many of you will never forget the sound
of Carol's cell phone going off every class.

We won't forget the sweet voice of Spalding,
or Bagnardi's pharmacology class,
nursing research with Lamet,
or the way Dr. Tom made us laugh.

Pediatrics with cute little Indra,
Hopkins who was extremely sincere,
management class with Colin and Gottlieb,
and Charron who at times filled us with fear.

Or Debbie and Robin
who taught Nursing 234 & 238.
And thank you Anne Marie
for the guidance and help you always gave.

As I have started the interview process
to find a real job and nursing position,
I am realizing that my starting salary
is going to be less than my school tuition.

Well the time has come to graduate.
We are on the road heading up.
Let us toast with a champagne glass
instead of a red plastic beer cup!