I Am Meant To Be A Nurse.

[mochamonster]

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.

[starval3]

:dancgrp:

Well, I'd look at life through the lens of 20 years down the road. Get your training, but ask around ...talk to women in their 80's, who are happy, of course. Talk to women in their 70's, and 50's...see what they miss or would have done differently.

I've heard women say, who have made it in the corporate world, with the bucks, the status, & power, that they felt cheated by following the advice of those who advised them to give it all to work. Now they yearn, literally yearn told hold a baby in their arms, not just any baby, but their own child, but that will never come, as they have forever passed that time of life. They would give all the fame or glamor, the money, the meetings, the travel to be a mother of and raise their own child. Now they can't even be a grand mother...so...take a look at things. Get your education, but make some decisions as to what is really of value.

My 4 year old was once run over by a big 6 or 8 year old kid, who was solid and heavy and it was like a line backer tackle. Our son screamed, as it was like a head-on smack, then he stopped crying and almost died in my arms--he went limp for about 10 seconds.

I had been working 10 and 12 hours shifts thinking that I was getting ahead, but I had been missing the last year of this little boy's life and would have had a really tough time forgiving myself if something serious had happened.

At that instant, I prayed, and did I ever pray and resolved that I would wait until later for the long hours, the ladder climbing. Long hours at work was for later, but this little boy was the joy of my life. Anyway, you get the point. Life has a way of teaching us what is important, and people can say it, you understand the words, but not until something happens that is real to home, does it finally ring true.

So, I have never been frightened by any boss, manager who required extras when I had family things planned, nor did I ever require extra work of others when I was a manager twice. There really wasn't the need and I saw that it is sometimes just a power trip to see if people will do what you ask. Well, there you go...love life and love your children, but remember, your job is something you do, but you were meant to be a wife and mother. This just another way of looking at and thinking about it. Words have a way of motivating us in the use of our time and attention. That's all. Take care. You'll do great!

[AphlebotomistF]

This is a very good story...I loved it as I was reading it. I'm very sure you will be able to finish your nursing career because I can tell you are really determine GOOD LUCK...!!!

[Doc Lori, R.N.]

That is so fantastic!! How wonderful the way things shift move and grow, initially angering us and causing us to lose faith, yet when we sort of let go and ride the wave, you celebrate a really awesome "Ah ha", so that's why this all happened :)

Much continued success to you!

[mochamonster]

Thanks everyone for all the kind words. I am truly flattered. Family is everything, and I owe everything to my family. Thanks to them I am looking forward to a career that will allow me to support my family, and be home when they are more. And don't worry, I get to snuggle with my babies plenty! I give up my sleep rather than give up my time with them. If you are determined, you can do anything you put your mind to!