When I applied for an internship at Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH), I was already denied from several other programs, which wasn't comforting, nor did it make me confident in my application, as I had already submitted it last minute; just a few days before the deadline.

On May 11, I received a phone call from the talent acquisition office offering me a position at Yale-New Haven Hospital as a student-nurse intern.

I was ecstatic, accepted the position and later found out that I was placed in a pediatric unit. Ten weeks went by in the blink of an eye and I am about to enter my senior year of nursing school.

Although commuting from Long Island to New Haven wasn't the most ideal situation, I am lucky to have my best friend and my boyfriend who both provided me with hospitality for the 10 weeks. I could have taken the easy way out and accepted a research position at Northwell Health on Long Island. However, I felt that I was meant to be at YNHH because it provided me with an opportunity to work in the specialty that I eventually want to work in, as well as improve my overall care at the bedside.

Over the last 10 weeks, I learned more about myself, my patients and nursing than I ever thought was possible.

The absolutely amazing and rewarding experience has had a huge effect on me. Oftentimes throughout caring for the pediatric population, I was asked by many teary-eyed parents, "How do you do this? You would rather take care of children than adults?" My answer always remained the same: I do it because someone has to. I feel that I have always had a connection with children and I want to help them get better so that they can experience life.

My experience has helped me learn how to put my emotions aside in order to provide the best possible care. I have seen everything from children with broken bones, transplants, eating disorders to lots of different cardiac issues. Some parents remained at the bedside while others had no one. It was then that I stepped in to care for, feed, change and play with these children.

Although developing emotions and a relationship with a patient isn't proper, I do have to say that there were many patients who touched my heart in ways that I will never forget. I will carry this experience with me throughout my nursing career and I will always look back on my experience to learn and develop as a nurse. I could not be more thankful, Yale-New Haven.