College of Nursing faculty member Bonnie Nickasch offered the following remarks at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s afternoon spring commencement ceremony on May 12 at Kolf Sports Center:
“Good afternoon. Thank you, Chancellor Leavitt, for asking me to address the graduates today. Chancellor Leavitt, Provost Koker, Senator Roth, distinguished guests, deans, faculty, alumni, family, friends and, of course, today’s graduates! Welcome and Congratulations Class of 2018!
“I am completely humbled to be standing here. And simultaneously terrified. I can still remember the anxiety and sweaty palms related to taking freshman oral communication class 20 plus years ago. I look out at all of you and I see me in you – as a three-time alum of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, I can wholeheartedly say my educational journey has been outstanding and prepared me for an incredible career.
“Let’s hear a round of applause FROM those earning their bachelor’s degree today, their master’s degree (pause), and their doctorate degree. I have experienced student life at each of these levels and now faculty life as an assistant professor in the College of Nursing, but standing up here delivering this departing message and sharing advice is one that I will never forget. What a tremendous honor to speak to such an incredible group of students.
“Today, I am going to talk about overcoming challenges throughout the rest of your career; and as you do taking good care of yourself. Let’s start off with my own personal story. When I was young, I was told I wasn’t college material. With a speech impediment and reading challenges, I was academically hindered in grade school and continued to struggle throughout middle school. I am forever grateful for my ninth-grade teacher and cross-country coach, Mr. Rankin, from Seymour, Wisconsin. Mr. Rankin helped me overcome these academic barriers. With his guidance, tutoring and ongoing support and encouragement, I felt a sense of academic accomplishment for the first time in my life. This was the beginning of my belief that I could overcome challenges in my personal, academic and professional life. As a result, I made a promise to myself, that I would pay it forward and help others continue to overcome challenges later in my life.
“So, today I challenge each of you to think back on your personal life and college journey. Did you have obstacles or setbacks? How did you overcome them? Who was an important part of your journey – family, roommates, friends, spouses and partners, professors, advisers, classmates or the barista at your local coffee shop? Were you a positive part of someone else’s journey? What you all have studied, applied and mastered throughout the past two, four, six, maybe even eight or 10 years has certainly not come without frustration, long days, longer nights and a few tears.
“Yet, I have witnessed the smiles, pride and support you have for one another during your time as a Titan, and this has led each of you to today’s accomplishment. Together, you have overcome challenges. Don’t forget to say thank you to all of those people (including yourself) that have assisted you throughout this educational journey.
“College of Nursing, Business, Education and Human Services graduates you will be finding yourself on the front-line of working with human beings who are engaged in challenging times, exciting times, once-in-a-lifetime times. Your liberal arts education has prepared you to think critically and overcome the many challenges you may face. You will be called on to make a difference in business, healthcare, education and human services. Rise to that opportunity; respect and cherish your role in shaping the future. You chose these areas and now you are ready to embark on your post-education professional journey. A journey that will likely be filled with the occasional challenge whether it be a personal challenge or an opportunity to assist someone else along their journey of life.
“Today, I want to remind you: As you help others, remember to take care of yourself. Please. Without self-care, overcoming challenges will become much more difficult. Self-care may sound cliché’ but over time you will realize it’s not a selfish act, but rather one of self-respect, an indispensable tool to help do your best work. Because you are each drawn to your chosen professions and will spend your days enthused about new business ideas, fostering success within organizations, challenging minds and healing bodies, you will be constantly giving of yourself. This is noble.
“Yet, if you say ‘yes to everything’ and fail to take care of yourself you will find yourself burnt out, unable to do your best work, and unable to rise above the challenges you face. As an assistant professor and family nurse practitioner, I have witnessed first-hand how many people take care of others before taking care of themselves.
“So, my advice for you today is: Take some time after you finish SAFELY celebrating today to ask yourself what is my next step? Make certain to give your time and energy to ideas, organizations and people whose mission, vision and values really align with your own personal values and priorities. Make time for those important people in your life. Be open to feedback. Ask questions. Be humble enough to accept advice when you may not even realize you need it. As much as you will thrive on using your gifts, remember that you are human too. You will need an ear, a shoulder, or a good swift kick in the butt. And, throughout it all, your genuine professional network will be both steadfast and looking out for you as you confront new challenges.
“Don’t stagnate. Be honest with yourself. You may feel like you have it figured out or you BETTER have it figured out. As you move forward into your professional journey continue to check in with yourself. Your professional journey will have its ups and downs, expect that. If something is consistently leaving you feeling unsettled, explore that. Perhaps, it’s an obstacle waiting to become an opportunity. Typically, the hardest decisions we make in life are because they have the most potential impact on our lives. Re-inventing, re-designing yourself professionally is almost inevitable at some point between today and the day you retire.
“In closing, as a nurse I would be remiss not to reiterate once again: take care of yourself (this goes for everyone, not just today’s graduates). Don’t forget to exercise. Eat healthily. Get some sleep. Relax. Travel. (All things we often may neglect) and encourage those around you to do the same.
“REMEMBER — You are a Titan! You have a large community behind you. Your relationship with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh doesn’t end today; it changes. Embrace your new role as an alumnus. Find ways to stay connected and give back. Our community needs each one of you. You are prepared for your chosen profession. Be the best you, you can be. Now, you got this! Go Titans, 2018!”