Finding the jewels in adversity: reflections on a secondment

摘要

The very first thing I wrote when I picked up my pen to reflect on my experience of being a paediatric ward nurse seconded to the children's diabetes team was that 'my self-esteem has hit rock bottom'. I was a junior sister on a children's day unit but a secondment opportunity presented itself in the form of children's specialist nurse for diabetes and 1 jumped at the chance. Little did I know that such an opportunity also brought with it such immense challenges and such a rollercoaster of emotion. The experience has been (and continues to be) rather painful at times. However, I've learned many things along the way, and I feel that these should be shared, especially for newly qualified staff nurses or student nurses who are beginning their journey into the ever-challenging world of health care.