Before I became a nurse I was an emotionally stunted person, looking back. My social skills were pathetic, I was barely able to navigate adult life. I was also broke.

Nursing changed that. I blundered my way through nursing school somehow, putting my foot in my mouth, probably on a regular basis. My self-awareness was so minimal back then! Thank God I was an excellent student, that saved my butt!

I've had various jobs in nursing. I never got fired, hooray! Over the years I developed really good bedside manner. After my husband died, I think I got tuned into how befuddling the healthcare system is to patients and families.

Each new position was a learning experience, both technically and, most importantly for me, propelling my toward self growth as a human being.

And, as a side benefit, I'm financially secure! Hooray for nursing!

I'm still socially awkward at times with my peers, hate public speaking because of nerves, am way too empathetic to stay emotionally solid sometimes during conversations with patients (like, so the doc says I'm dying...) but I'm continuing to evolve and I have nursing to thank for this! We all have strengths and weaknesses that accentuate our personalities as care givers and nursing can make you as tough as steel one minute and as flimsy as piece of paper the next.