New Chapter in My Life!

What a crazy week it has been for me! I took the NCLEX on Sunday and found out I passed on Tuesday.  The 48 hours following the exam were so grueling.  At first I knew I had passed – when the exam ended at 75 questions, I had the biggest smile on my face and was ready to celebrate!  As the next 24 hours went on my mind started to over think and analyze every question that I had seen.  By Tuesday morning I had convinced myself that I had failed.  The waiting game had played extreme tricks with my brain.  However, I will never forget the moment when I received the email with the letter of congratulations that included my new RN license number. August 20, 2013 at 5:00 pm will be a date I will always remember.

This achievement that I have worked for 4 years for has made me reflect on my life.  I have always wanted to have a passion and a love for a career.  I searched for what I thought was a passion for many years.  I went from dead end job to dead end job.  I used to say to myself, “Is this what life is about….sitting behind a desk answering to someone who’s thoughts and ideas I don’t even agree with?”… My life had no purpose or meaning…

Six years ago, I took on the role of taking care of my wonderful grandmother.  Over the years my grandmother had developed dementia, and it had progressed to the point where it had affected her apathy and taking care of herself physically.  At this point in my life, I was unsure where I was going with my career but knew it was my time to begin taking care of my grandmother.  I had volunteered to become one of her primary caregivers in order for her not to be put into a nursing home.  To this day, my family as a whole have all put a lot of time and effort in to care for her. 

As I began taking care of my grandmother I grew a love for the health care profession.  My mother who is a nurse encouraged me to go back to school for nursing.  At first I was hesitant because I had a fear of learning biology, and it had been years since I had been in college.  But I fought that fear and decided to go back to school.  Deciding to quit my job and go back to school for nursing was the best decision I had ever made.

I conquered my fear of Biology; I received an A in that course.  Fast forward to 4 years later I graduated nursing school with double honors.  I am part of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, and also the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society. 

Looking back would I have ever thought I would have excelled the way I had? Well, when you have a passion and a love for something, yes absolutely anyone can.  I loved learning about the human body and how to properly care for others.  I am so blessed to have been given this gift, and to be an instrument of God.

Why didn’t I choose this profession when I was younger?  Well, I wasn’t ready.  I believe God has a plan for everyone in His own time.  Deep inside I felt what I thought I wanted in a career, but I couldn’t find it.  It wasn’t until I began taking care of my grandmother that I realized I wanted to be part of the health care profession. 

I gave up so much of my life for the past 4 years and I don’t regret any of it.  The memories and friends I have made through nursing school I will cherish forever.  Now I can begin living again.  I have to admit, studying was my crutch for years.  However, I am looking forward to having a life again.  Going out with my friends and traveling again has been a dream and now I can live it!!  I can’t wait to begin this next chapter of my life as a nurse.  Because of my determination, perseverance, passion and goal setting, my dreams are coming true! I am living proof that no matter what you set your mind to you CAN achieve it!

I will begin my first nursing job as a cardiac telemetry nurse soon.  I can’t wait for the challenges the next year will bring, learning my new role in the nursing profession.  Along with this new challenge I plan on working towards my personal trainers license.  Having these goals are exciting, and I am looking forward to seeing what unfolds next.  Until then I will continue to stay focused and positive!