I had been in the dental field for years and had slowly moved my way up by learning each job until I was proficient and then seeking more of a challenge. I did this for 9 years until I found myself with a Bachelor's in Healthcare Management and the Office Manager for a multi-dentist practice that I had rescued from the verge of bankruptcy. Everything I touch turned to gold, so to speak. For me the next logical step was to start my own business as a practice management consultant.Then, as I see it, fate took over.The plan had always been that once the practice was humming along, I would drop down to part time to have time to pursue my ambitions of being a practice management consultant. I had a management meeting with the owner of the practice and his employee/wife. I felt the time was coming to make the move to part time, but they disagreed. They wanted me to stay on full time for at least six months after I had completed a particular project. I expected that project to take a month or so to complete.My husband and I were planning on trying to conceive our second child once I got my practice management business up and running, but with the revelation that I would be in my position full time for the better part of a year, we decided to have the baby first. We got pregnant the second month we were trying and were ecstatic. Then the rug was pulled out from under me.I was let go from my position as Office Manager. The economy had taken a turn for the worse and I had basically worked myself out of a job. My employer, who had created my position to hire me, now felt that my wages would be put to better use in his pocket, now that he saw that the general public viewed dental care as a luxury in a tough economy.I was 7 weeks pregnant and furious. If I had known I was going to lose my job 3 months after my employers basically guaranteed me full time employment for the foreseeable future I would not have gotten pregnant when I did. I was scared too. I had a 17 month old son and a mortgage and everything else that goes along with the American dream.I took the week to feel sorry for myself and then decided to try to find a job as soon as possible. I was fortunate enough to find an Assistant Office Manager position at a chiropractor's office. While it was a step down for me, it was still an administrative position, and had only taken 2 months to find. They also hired me knowing I was pregnant, so I counted my blessings.In the meantime I decided that I would take prerequisites on a part time basis for nursing school. When I told my husband I wanted to go back to school for nursing he said that he had always been surprised that I hadn't done that in the first place. I was taken aback by his response. What had taken me years to realize, he had always seen, but never said anything. I have always been the kind of person who had to figure things out for myself and I couldn't see the forest for the trees so to speak.I did a lot of research into the local schools and came across 3 accelerated BSN programs, but knew I would not be able to attend them since I had to work. I had accepted the fact that I would keep my head down and slowly but surely take classes to reach my goal of getting a BSN. It might take 5 years, which I dreaded thinking about, but at least I would be able to do it. I did long to go back to school full time, but knew it was not possible with my responsibilities.Things were going along fine at the chiropractor's office. I was 7 months pregnant and had enrolled in 2 classes at the community college for prerequisites. It was 2 days before classes were to start for the summer and my boss called me in to his office at the end of the workday. He had a meeting with his accountant at lunch and told me that the office had to pay $20,000 to the IRS for taxes the office owed over the next 6 months, and you guessed it, my salary would have to be what would cover the debt.I was floored. I was just struggling to get back on my feet only to get knocked back down. I was heavily pregnant and knew there would be no way I could find a job, let alone an administrative job. This time, I took no time in deciding what to do. The next day I went to the community college and signed up for as many prerequisites as were open. I ended up taking 27 credits that semester. I had to get special permission to do so. I had my baby over the 2 week break and came back in the fall for the rest of my prerequisites, only 15 credits that time. My baby was 1 week old. I got all A's. I was determined not to fail at this. I did get accepted for an accelerated program and started in January and am currently attending. Right now my baby girl is 6 months old and my son is 2.My experience has taught me that I am meant to be a nurse. It was fate, or God, or whatever you want to call it. The timing fit too perfectly to not be. I could not have done what I did nor could I continue to do what I am doing if it weren't for my family. My husband and parents have all rallied around me to accomplish this great goal. I know I won't fail, because if I do, I won't be just letting myself down, I would be letting everyone down. Besides, I am meant to be a nurse, of that I have no doubt. About mochamonster 66 Posts Share this post