This is my essay on EXL it in includes why I am glad I did the program and what I learned from it.

I am thankful that I participated in the Experiential Learning Scholar’s Program, EXL-4000 course. It was a great self-evaluation tool. While deciding what assignments I wanted to use for all the topics, it was an opportunity to look at old ones and see the growth I have made in five semesters. Looking over all of the topics and my assignments that fit the different topics I realized how much I have grown as a nurse and person. I don’t think I would feel such a sense of growth without the EXL program to lay it out so easily for me.

All the assignments brought back a lot of old feelings. Looking at assignments from the beginning I remember how scared I was even thinking about taking care of a patient and then when they told me I had to take care of two I nearly passed out. Now I feel like I can handle three patients and feel competent to do so.  The skills we covered in the first semester used to take three times the amount of time it takes me now in my fifth semester. The journals brought back the feelings of pride and happiness I had when I finished my first clinical day and it went good. From the first semester to now the faculty kept telling us that everything they teach us we will use in practice and they were right. I have learned a lot about myself and can see all the changes I have gone through conveyed in my work. All the feelings of accomplishment are not ones that I will ever forget.

I would recommend the program to anyone because I feel like it is a very beneficial program that can help boost people’s self-confidence. I look forward to having additional accomplishments to post in the future. I am now nerves to go out into the real world and be a real RN. However, I now realize all the knowledge and training I gained here at MTSU are all the pieces to the puzzle that I need to make me a good, competent, caring. and compassionate nurse. As I walk across that stage on Saturday with my head held high, I am going to feel proud that I am an Experiential Learning Scholar.