My Journey as a Pre-Nursing Student

[Breytiful]

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to share my story of why I want to be a nurse and hopefully give confidence to other pre-nursing students who are feeling doubtful. I recently applied to Texas Tech nursing school and got an interview, but I didn't get in. I was heartbroken, but I know this doesn't mean I won't reach my goal of being a nurse or that I will be an awful nurse one day.

While I was growing up my mother and I would watch the show 'Baby's Birthday' on Discovery channel. My favorite part of the show was watching the team of nurses and doctor work together to ensure that the mother had a smooth birth. I decided that I wanted to be one of the nurses who got to suction the newborn's nose and hand the swaddled up baby to its mother. I decided I wanted to be a nurse at an early age, I remember drawing myself as a nurse surrounded by incubators when my kindergarten teacher instructed the class to draw what we wanted to be when we grew up.

A few years later I decided I wanted to be a midwife after my mom had the assistance of a nurse midwife during her delivery of my little brother. My mother had such a wonderful experience and has nothing but positive things to say about midwives! I really liked the idea of bringing a new life into this world and making sure that the mother had a smooth delivery.

Many years later, I was in a car accident when I was a sophomore. I had brain lacerations and hemorrhages, I spent 5 days in a coma. I woke up on my birthday and my mom swears I told her about walking around the hospital. I spent a few weeks in rehabilitation working with occupational, speech, and physical therapist who helped me gain confidence in myself again. After being released from rehab I was referred to a home bound school so I could continue my regular high school work and graduate on time. I would have the home bound classes one a week and after four long months I was ready to go back to regular school! I had taken pre-ap english before the car accident and felt up to the challenge so I continued to take it when I came back. It was hard, but I managed and felt empowered when I was able to recite a poem by memory. I decided to take dual credit English during my Junior and Senior year and passed with A's and B's every semester. When it was time to take the exit standardized test in high school I passed every section and got commend in English.

I am now in college and it's been tough! I have worked hard and sometimes I doubt myself. It sucks having to retake classes, but I remind myself that it'll be worth it. I applied for nursing school and even got an interview! I was so stoked, I knew I wasn't officially accepted into the program, but I was proud that I made it past the first cut of people! I ended up not getting in, but I know why. I'm retaking a class and retaking the HESI to score higher! I'm also working on my time management skills. I'm determined to nail the interview and make it in next time.

It has been a long and expensive journey so far, but I know nursing is where my heart is. I've considered other careers, but nothing "feels right". I look forward to being an advocate for my patients and providing the best care possible. It's hard to see people who were taking pre-reqs with me just a few semesters ago already well into their 6th semester of the nursing program, but I remind myself that I will be there soon enough! I hope that by sharing my story I can encourage anyone reading this to follow their heart. Don't give up!

[ADN_Is_Complete, ADN]

Hey, thanks for sharing your story. I am also a pre-nursing student. I know that it can be challenging, but please keep going. I look forward to your reading your acceptance post. Good luck.

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Thank you for sharing your story. Your timing will come:) It's best to compete a marathon against yourself than against others.