For Project 2, I composed a how-to slideshow presentation on surviving nursing school, which includes tips and tricks that I came up with, drawing on my emotional and academic experience. For this rhetorical analysis, I selected a YouTube video titled "Surviving your first semester of nursing school" (2021), a popular nursing channel created by a registered nurse named Sierra. Similar to my own project, this video attempts to walk new or struggling nursing students through the challenges of nursing school. Rhetorical appeals, a supportive tone, and outlined tips allow Sierra to establish her credibility and ensure that the viewers remain structured. Although the information is helpful, it is possible to enhance the video by providing additional emotional appeal and visual innovativeness.
Purpose and Message
The video has a clear message: students who want to succeed in nursing school should plan their activities, remain motivated, and prevent burnout. Sierra provides a guide to her viewers by defining study tips, planning tools, and self-care reminders. She often uses phrases like: I know you have been through a lot, and I am here to help. She is not just trying to teach but to comfort- assure students that they can do this, that they are not so alone. She does this with personal experience and cool, practical guidance. The target audience is induced to follow new habits and believe in her advice.
Audience Awareness
The audience that Sierra targets mostly consists of first-year nursing students or intimidated nursing students. These students could be in their 20s or 30s and could be juggling between school, work, and personal commitments. They tend to be very stressed. Sierra talks in a friendly voice and streamlines the organizational routine, which makes her audience feel encouraged. A 2023 article in the Journal of Nursing Education explains that first-year nursing students report time management and emotional overload as top challenges (Smith & Reyes, 2023). The findings that planning, attitude, and reducing stress are important issues that Sierra emphasizes in her presentation indicate that she is aware of what her readers are worried about.
Context and Engagement