My Nursing Journey
Growing up, I didn't want to be a nurse. Never even considered it. I liked science and math, but I also liked English and history and all my other classes (I was a bit of a nerd). I was going to be an elementary school teacher. And then, 8th grade hit and my life changed forever. First was the tumor, and visits to the surgeon, plastic surgeon, and oncologist. Then my surgery and subsequent recovery. A few months later, I dislocated my knee and was in physical therapy for months. And after that, I got mono and was sick for several months. One health problem after another and hours upon hours in doctor's offices and hospital rooms. These months gave me a greater understanding of and appreciation for the medical community, nurses in particular. The nurses were always there, taking care of me as a person. They were the ones who answered my call light, and most of my questions. They were the ones who took my vital signs, gave me my medications, and brought me an extra blanket. They made my experience as comfortable as possible, and even pleasant. They embodied compassion and knowledge blended together and I wanted to join their force. So, I applied to a four-year bachelor's of nursing program and entered into the hardest four years of my life.
The first year was filled with normal prerequisites (Biology, Chemistry, etc.) in addition to other liberal arts courses such as speech and English. At the end of the year, we each had an interview with the chair of the division of nursing and took the nursing school entrance exam. I passed the requirements and was ready to go!
Sophomore year began nursing classes and clinicals. And with them, I faced a realization: I was not in love with nursing. Why? All of my classmates seemed to be. They talked about learning to do bed baths and brief changes as if it was the best thing they had ever experienced. As we continued through the program we learned more skills (catheterization, med pass, IV therapy) and more nursing theory. We went to the ER, ICU, CCU, hospice centers, nursing homes, and many medsurg floors. Nothing was clicking. I appreciated it from a scientific perspective but I still didn't love it. I shadowed a friend of mine who was an ER nurse, I shadowed in the oncology center at John's Hopkins Hospital. My senior year, I spent a day with a school nurse, and for the first time I had found a setting in which I could see myself being a nurse. At the same time, I began to have a greater interest in overseas medical work and various ministry opportunities. I realized how much nursing could be used in various avenues and what a valuable tool it was. So I kept on. Senior year also brought intense preparation for the NCLEX.
After taking the NCLEX (and passing on my first time!) I began my nursing career. And it was then that nursing became my own. I worked as a camp nurse for that first summer after nursing school (which remains my favorite type of nursing: who wouldn't want to live in the mountains, treat bumps and bruises, and enjoy the fun of summer camp?). After the summer, I spent several months working for a home health agency, and then I landed a night shift nursing job on a telemetry floor. On the floor, I had fabulous preceptors and nurse mentors and began to learn and grow by leaps and bounds. After working there for 15 months, I decided to moved out of state and got a job at a pediatrician's office during my transition time. I continued to learn the ins and outs of being a nurse, but still felt a bit unsettled. I couldn't shake the desire to be in more of an education setting and was also continuing to look into ministry opportunities, potentially overseas. I was finally starting to understand that nursing is an excellent tool, but it wasn't my sole focus on life, and that was OK. Some people love nursing and their lives are wrapped up in it; some people are nurses and also focus on other opportunities. Both perspectives are equally valid and valuable.
Now, I am settled into a new job, back at the camp I was at that first summer out of college. I am looking into MSN in education programs and using my nursing skills as needs arise with campers and staff. I work PRN as an RN at a medical facility. In April, I traveled overseas and spent some time at an international nursing school, getting to see first-hand what it would be like to teach overseas. My story is unique, with many twists and turns, but I am confident that it will end exactly where it is supposed to. And until it ends, I will live it to the full as a nurse and servant to my fellow man.
So what about you? Have you always wanted to be a nurse? Have you found your niche? If so, that's awesome! Live it to the full! But maybe my story has resonated with you in ways you didn't expect. Maybe you aren't so sure about this whole nursing thing, or maybe you want to explore other options within nursing. If that is you, know that you are not alone. In fact, there are probably others in your class or on your floor that feel the same way. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of any help to you!
Cheering you on,
Laura
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