Going into Nursing... and the Proverbial Kick in the Butt that got me started

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

I've wanted to be a nurse since I was five years old. On my first day of Kindergarten, I announced at the dinner table that I wanted to be a Nurse when I grew up.

I continued along the path until high school, and then decided to go for Practical instead of Registered because I could get done sooner and be out in the world giving excellent patient care.

I got talked out of Nursing. I heard from practically everyone that offered opinions. "You don't want to do that, Kylee. Practicals are going away. If you really want to be a Nurse, you HAVE to be an RN."

I went to college (to a campus that did not offer a Nursing major) and got a totally worthless degree in Journalism. I've kicked around for 25 years, going from job to job, not being happy and fulfilled.

Fast forward to Feb. 3, 2006. My beloved Dad is in the Trauma ICU with bacterial meningitis. He had 3 EEGs done and all showed no brain activity. My mom said to me "Kylee, what should I do?" I told her Dad wouldn't want to live like this and have no quality of life. I'd ask the doctor if he could turn off the life support.

I sat there all day, saying goodbye and holding his hand. When the last breath came, I waited for the next one that didn't come, and then went out to the hall and told his doctor. I went back in the room and told my Mom I had just done the hardest thing a human ever had to do, and dammit, next year I was going to Nursing School.

On May 16, 2006, I took the NET test. A week later, I got the results and a contract for acceptance.

The class of 2007-2009 started on March 5, 2007. I was one of the 41 sitting in the seats. I'm now one of 29 still sitting in the seats.

Funny thing is, I don't hear "Kylee, Practicals are going away" anymore. I only have one regret, and that is that I didn't do it 27 years ago.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Bless you, Kylee. You are a shining light to us all.

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Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.

You are JUST PERFECT! Thank you Kylee that people like you are in this world! All the best girl-nurse!

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Congratulations, Kylee, for following your dream. My situation is very similar. I wanted to be a nurse since I was 4. I was too proud to be a practical nurse when I learned we couldn't afford to send me to "real " nursing school. Fast forward 53 years, I just finished LPN school, just passed my NCLEX and am starting my job search.

It is never too late!

Dixie

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Kylie and Dixie,

Thanks so much for sharing your stories. It's given me some hope. I'm 48 and considering going into nursing. I was a medical lab technician for 17 years. I got burned out and went back to school. Like many I had been dissuaded from going into nursing. On advice from an instructor I got a degree in communication - was told that I could get a job anywhere with this degree. Not so true. So I did what many do - I got my master's in communication. Only thing is that I really want to be a nurse, eventually either a nurse practioner or a nurse educator (I learned while being a TA that I do like teaching;)).

But now I feel very strongly about being a nurse. When I visualize working (right now I work for my hubby's business) I can't imagine myself working in any other career. But, my big obstacle is that I've hit the limit on getting any more student loans. I don't know how I'd pay for nursing school and for living expenses while in school. I'm afraid I screwed up that dream by not going for it earlier.

Shoshannah

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Kylie and Dixie,

Thanks so much for sharing your stories. It's given me some hope. I'm 48 and considering going into nursing. I was a medical lab technician for 17 years. I got burned out and went back to school. Like many I had been dissuaded from going into nursing. On advice from an instructor I got a degree in communication - was told that I could get a job anywhere with this degree. Not so true. So I did what many do - I got my master's in communication. Only thing is that I really want to be a nurse, eventually either a nurse practioner or a nurse educator (I learned while being a TA that I do like teaching;)).

But now I feel very strongly about being a nurse. When I visualize working (right now I work for my hubby's business) I can't imagine myself working in any other career. But, my big obstacle is that I've hit the limit on getting any more student loans. I don't know how I'd pay for nursing school and for living expenses while in school. I'm afraid I screwed up that dream by not going for it earlier.

Shoshannah

No, don't be discouraged. It's never too late. I am thinking of the same thing. I am 36 and I will start taking my prerequisites this fall. I work full time but I will still try even if I take 1 subject at a time.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I went back at 49 and just started my first LPN position. Will be an RN by this time next year...GO FOR IT! It's worth it :)

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm proud to be an LPN. We rock some LTC butt!

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