[DutchgirlRN]

What an inspirational story. Thanks for sharing. I dealt with depression for years and understand what life is like once you come out of that hell. I'm only sorry to hear about the loss of your son. You are going to be one AWESOME nurse! I hope anyone reading this suffering from depression will take note and seek professional help.

[tes85]

Congratulations... you should be very proud of yourself for accomplishing such an amazing dream even all that you've been through... you story is very inspiring to anyone in your situation... good luck in the future and take care of yourself first and for most

[sweetiehrt7985]

Wow. You should be very very proud of yourself! Congrats on EVERYTHING!

[CatsandCradles]

Originally Posted by babynursewannab

First off, please understand I'm not bragging, I just want to share my story for encouragement purposes.

:hatparty: I'm done! I'm done! I'm just coming out of shock. :hatparty:

I'll start from the beginning.

I graduated from high school 13 1/2 years ago. I went right to college and intended on becoming a vet (LOVE animals). My second year of college I found out I was too allergic and had to abandon that dream. At the time I was an honors student.

I moved across the country to live with my boyfriend. I got married and then pregnant 12 days later. I had plenty of warning but chose to ignore it, but when I was pregnant I realized my husband was extremely emotionally abusive and made my life h*** if I attempted anything that was solely for my benefit...including friends. I attempted to return to school 4 times while I was married to him and either dropped or failed out each time because of his interventions. I was constantly told how irresponsible I was for not doing things at home (ie taking garbage out....sorry studying for test), how horrible I was for not paying attention to him and how I was never going to succeed at school I (HE) had already proven that fact. On top of that I was never allowed to do anything, ANYTHING alone (aka without child in tow), including grocery shopping, if he had to watch her. So, I never went out with the few friends I had and did my grocery shopping with her or at 10pm (child was asleep then). HE, on the other hand, went out all the time and screamed at me if I asked him to ever say no or change his plans.

In 1999 we lost our 3 1/2 month old son to SIDS and 3 months later my husband developed cancer (he is 100% cured now). Over the course of the 9 years we were together, he beat my psyche down until I couldn't think straight. So, I slipped into a major depression (not surprisingly with the death) during which he also became physically aggressive towards me. Saving grace for him...he was good to our daughter.

In January of 2000, I had a "calling" if you will, to nursing and decided I didn't care what he thought and applied to school. I was so afraid of him and his reaction, I made sure someone else was there when I told him. Of course his reply was "he was so happy for me." I started school under academic probation and only took one or two courses at a time while I worked full time. To my surprise I started getting all A's.

While I was doing this I started seeing a doctor for my depression and things eventually became clearer and, because of the treatment, more physically possible. In the summer of 2001 I left him after he told me he blamed me for our son's death (idiot). OMG! The world OPENED UP for me! I was alive again, I was no longer sick with everything under the sun and I was HAPPY!!!! I had no money... didn't care. I was also, still getting A's in everything...

In January 2003, I ended up marrying the best friend I have ever had in my life who fully supports anything I want or do. My daughter adores him and we built a new house, moved and had another baby over the next year! Whirlwind!!! I stayed in the nursing program throughout the pregnancy, gave birth on Dec 23, 2003 and returned to school full-time two weeks later. Over the course of the nursing program, I was also completing the University Honors program...essentially a second major with TONS of extra work. I developed a health teaching series and delivered it to immigrant Mayans in Georgia in both Spanish and English as my honors thesis. This took every spare minute of my spring and the entire summer. Still...happy hubby. We have been essentially broke the entire time, but happy.

I finished up my last semester in nursing school this past Monday. I scored in the 99th percentile on my NCLEX predictor test. Last night was our Senior Recognition night (equivalent to pinning...but with awards). My class awarded me the Leadership award, I got a "teacher's pet" humor award, and I was honored by the entire faculty of the nursing program with not one, but two of the only 3 awards they bestow upon students: The Excellence in Nursing Leadership and the Excellence in Pediatric Nursing awards. The second award is hosted by Atlanta's premiere pediatric health system. I was completely shocked.

I graduate on Monday. Summa Cum Laude, 4.0 g.p.a. and an Honors Scholar (one of 2 in the entire University). I have a very happy husband and two happy daughters. I am happy. God, am I happy! I have come so far with so many obstacles and I succeeded to the highest possible degree. I hope that my story will give some of you hope when you are feeling like you just can't do it. It can be done. Some, like myself, just have to take the long way around. My father's words constantly rang through my head over the course of my schooling: "If you really want something bad enough, you will make it happen."

Know what? He was right.

Fantastic story!

I wish you the utter best!

[nicuRN2007]

Well, I know the original post is old, but in case you still hang around, I just wanted to wish you congratulations. It is awesome that you were able to turn your life around. I was in a similar situation with the last guy I dated. Now I have a wonderful husband, and I often imagine how different my life would be right now if I were still with my ex. I know one thing: I wouldn't be getting ready to graduate nursing school in 2 months if I were still with him!

[ritaPHIL]

hi there people.... i am ma. rita from philippines and i am a nurse. i hope i can share some good stories before i became a nurse....

it all started my sister decided to finance my studies as long as i will take the nursing course. at first, i was hesitant because i already graduated from the course of bachelor of science in business administration major in marketing and management. and suddenly i have to give up my first course and shift to another course and that is NURSING.

so, i follow want my sister wanted me to do. i studied nursing for two years. after i graduated i took the local board exam and passed it last June 2005 (thank God...:-) ). since i am planning to work in abroad specifically at USA, i decided to take all the exams before going to work. i took English Proficiency on the same year and i passed it. after i year i took the CGFNS last 2006 and made it also. and lastly, the NCLEX exam for me to be able a registered nurse by the time i can work in USA.

here is story that i cannot forget before taking the NCLEX exam. my mother got ill. so i am hesitant again to take the exam because i want to personally take care of my mother. but my mother told me that i still can take my exam and not to worry about her. with the pursue of my mom i applied for NCLEX exam. as time goes on, my mother's health was deteriorating. and the doctor told me it was a bad prognosis for my mother's health. i am in the dilemma on that time whether to leave my mother because i have to take my nclex exam at SAIPAN and need to stay there for 5 days (it is because there 2 flights available only for the philippines if you will go to saipan). before i leave. i almost cried because i cannot stand to leave my mother. and i keep on telling her to wait for me. i really don't know what's with me that time. anyway, my mother wished me luck then for my NCLEX exam.

As i arrived at SAIPAN, i always think of my mother. what might happen to her. what if by the time i reach philippines she will be gone. anyway, as took the exam, it was very hard and i found it difficult. after the exam i cried and prayed hard that i may pass the exam (i can't afford to fail the exam because it was too expensive ----the exam and the fare). to cut it short, by the time i arrived at Manila, Philippines. i saw my bestfriend. i was engrossed with the exam and share my experience to her. it never occur to me that she will break a bad news to me. i just learned that my mother passed away before i took the NCLEX exam. i was stunned that time and it does not matter to whether i pass or fail the exam. all i could think of was my mother was gone and she did not wait for me.

to cut it short, we had our vigil during the wake. last march 30, 2007 a friend of mine told me a news. i made it i passed the NCLEX exam. that time , i can't explain and distinguish how i should feel. but as i return to myself, the first thing i said to myself was thank you very much LOrd and thank you mother. even if you are gone, you are always with me............. she was the best mom for me.... and i miss her so much......

well now, i am working in a tertiary government hospital as a nurse and i am waiting when i can work in usa. i am lucky that i passed all the exams for my preparation to work in USA...

i hope i shared some good stories then

ma. rita from philippines

[wannaBanOBnurse]

I just wanted to let you know i grew up with a pig of a father just like that who did so many evil things i cant even begin to say, so i understand how hard that couldve been for you, unfortunately my mother became stuck in that situation, but EXTREMELY fortunately he left her and now our lives have become normal for the most part, my mother never got to go to school for what she wanted he forced her to go into computer programming which was completely not something she ever wanted she wanted to study art, shes like me, shes not interested in those things and he never let her succeed, however hes not here to stop me, so i will be going to to nursing school just like you did, and you are my true inspiration, i am SO UNBELIEVABLEY proud of you i cant even tell you, after everything you went through you made it through and you not only just made it through you pushed your way through and followed your dreams, i just wanted to say thank you for posting this story, i will get my GED and go to college and prevail for you and my mother, and for everyone else out there and i will definately help all the mothers who i meet and if they get down or i see them in a situation like you or my mother were in (even though its tricky to tell since those evil people tend to be wonderfull at one thing, and thats acting like a human being) i will tell them your story if i can you are truly encouraging, God Bless

[nurse2b2010]

Congratulations! You are so deserving of all the recognition and accolades! I am sure you're story will be of great inspiration to others who may be in the same situation, or has been in such situation. So proud of you! Can't wait to hear your other nursing success stories!

[Dierdre]

I was in the same boat for ten years, although I'd already become a nurse at that point. Congrats on your new LIFE! I hope things only continue to get better for you

[califalcon]

I became an RN at 40....in the 80's after 15 years of military medical interventions....

A male in a woman's world...love it!!!. But...congratulations because life does not give you lemons, but opportunities to make lemonade...(old cliche?)

My daughter, after working as a school bus driver for 10 years and handling the special needs children on a daily basis, took a look at my experiences and decide to follow my steps...only....

She is a Valedictorian....works full time...takes care of her grandma who had a stroke...finds time for her mom and I...her 2 brothers...

And she taught me to think that yes....ANYTHING YOU WANT...YOU CAN MAKE HAPPEN.

Congratulations...you have the passion that makes you a welcome addition to compassionate and caring professions like ours.

Manny Nunez
Director Latin American Association of Aeromedical Services (ALSAM)
California USA
http://aeromedicina.org