On Monday 28th Sept 1981, exactly 39 years ago to the day, I started psych nurse training in my home town of Castlebar, County Mayo. At 18, I was the 2nd youngest student in the country
From day one nursing was something I've loved and remain endlessly grateful for that blessing

This pic was taken in 1982 when we were 2nd year psych students with our tutors.
As my beloved son @will_dolan_ drily noted once, we didn't just train in the last century, we trained in the last millennium!

Last October, my hometown honoured me with a civic reception. Even better, 9/10 of us met up for the 1st time in decades (1 is nursing in Canada). 2 have retired, 1 took on her dad's farm and all the rest of us are still nursing. We're so proud of that and we remain great friends

So, if this is the month you're starting your nursing career, welcome. You have made an outstanding decision about what to do with your life

With luck you will have friends forever, a warped sense of humour and you'll be part of something incredibly special. Nursing.

I was recently asked to co-author this blog on what I wish I knew in my first year in nursing which looking at it again it's really a love letter to mental health nursing and I still think of it as my best qualification. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-could-turn-back-time-what-wish-knew-my-first-year-emma-versluis/