I Am Meant To Be A Nurse.

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. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

I Am Meant To Be A Nurse.

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.

66 Posts

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Specializes in Surgery, Geriatrics.

Awesome story. Congratulations to you! Your patients will be lucky to have you as their nurse.

kfwvnurse

1 Post

That is a great inspirational story and keep up the great work. You sound like a wonderful mother, wife and future nurse. Congratulations!

meluhn

661 Posts

Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.

You must be very smart, you are able to balance it all and do well. Congrats on your family and good luck in the future.

ex1140

156 Posts

Specializes in Mental Health.

Nursing is not easy. I became a nurse because I felt that it was a good career. And after a while I came realize that it is also my calling. It is not somthing anyone should do because of the pay scale or the fact that its very much in demand. I say...If you want care for others in a medical environment and you believe that you will do it well...and you don't mind studying...nursing will be for you...if nursing is for you get ready for the ride...

mochamonster

66 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

Thanks for everyone's kind words. I have wanted to transition to the medical field from the dental field for some time, but never felt like I had the right opportunity, until now. I couldn't be happier! I agree nursing is not easy, but anything that is worthwhile is usually hard. Thanks again everyone!:redpinkhe

mandispooner

7 Posts

I love your story! Congratulations and good luck in all future endeavors! :)

gordinaz

5 Posts

I am 41 years and wanting to start a career in Nursing. I too experienced job loss not becuase of the job market but of my own actions. I grew up in a very caring and close family. My mother was somewhat overprotective of my sis and I. So I grew up kind of like a scaredy cat. My mother and father were very kind to everyone they meet, and willing to help if you were in troubles. I was a wild teenager, thought of the world as one big party. Joined the marine corp at 22 married at 23, seperated at 28 divorced at 30. Had awful divorce, but have two of the most wonderful boys anyone can ever have. Lost my job recently at a casino. Anyway, out of all this crazy life I have always cared about the wellbeing of everything living. It fills me with sorrow to see people and animals helpless and I try to do all I can to help. Even if its giving an animal a knee and strokes of kindness or a down and out person something as a little conversation. I have worked all my time in some sort of customer service field. I have always felt compassion when someone needed help. I would give all my time and resources to helping that person I was assisting. I love being with people. I have made bad choices all these years, but have come full circle to realize I dont need that life anymore. I get my highs helping my grandmother, my father, mother, sister, my boys to realize there is more to life than"party". I enjoy reading books now. huh after all these years. I have been through alot and still have many who love me and I just want to show the love that god has blessed me with

michelle2841

38 Posts

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 ½ 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 ½.

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.

congrats on all your success! you really got me motivated to pursue and not give up on my dreams. thanks for the wonderful story. :D

Smurfette_74

16 Posts

Good for you!

MuseAcal

4 Posts

After twenty years of working in male-dominated fields, God finally hit me over the head with a great big two-by-four a few years back so I couldn't ignore the message - I, too, was meant to be a nurse! Some of us are just a little more stubborn, I guess, but He has a way of getting us properly directed when Nursing is where we belong - and there is absolutely NO doubt in my mind I was put on this earth for two reasons: to be a Mom and to be a Nurse! :nurse::redbeathe

leahcar83

4 Posts

Your story has definitely inspired me! I already have both a BS and an MS in the field of Audiology and have an opportunity to finish the last year-and-a-half of my AuD, however my heart is not in it anymore and I feel a very strong calling to the nursing career. I always wanted to be a nurse, however my mother was an RN and developed a severe life-changing allergy to latex through her job, which scared me away from the field. But once again I feel the pull towards nursing. I am 27, a mother to a beautiful 19 month old boy and a wife to a United States Marine. My husband will be voluntarily separating from the Marine Corps in a couple of months and the life lessons I have learned from being a military wife have definitely changed who I am as a person. My husband was deployed to Iraq for 8 months last year, and during that time I learned alot about myself and what I really want out of life. I know that people probably think I am crazy for switching from a Doctoral program, but I feel that this is the direction life is taking me now. Thank you SO much for sharing your story...if other people can make the career change then I know I can as well! :)