Nursing Entrance Essay: Nursing Journey

"Education is the key to success."

These important words, spoken by the most influential person in my life, my grandmother, are words that have taught me not to give up. Being a product of divorce, parental abandonment, and the loss of a father and grandfather to cancer, has opened my eyes to a different perspective of life. My grandmother raised me. I am proud to say that she has her degree in teaching and values education to the fullest. I thought I would go the same route. I love children and being a role model, but I was not completely happy with following the footsteps of my family.

I started college and was not sure of how I felt about taking education classes at Indiana State University. I continued to follow what I thought was right, only because it was the norm in my family. Everything seemed perfect until the day my grandfather became sick with cancer. After he passed, a year later, I saw the same disease take my father's life at age 51. Through all of the tears and hurt, I saw firsthand how the nurses made my father smile and comfortable. One nurse in particular stood out the most to me. Her attitude, passion, kindness, and work ethic caught my eye. Being in the hospital so much started turning my interests to the medical field. I enrolled in Indiana Business College and graduated with my degree in medical assisting. I am the first in my family to have a medical degree.

After graduation, I stayed employed for a job that had nothing to do with my degree. The benefits of working for a retail/hardware company are time management, better people skills, and steering me in the direction of a improved career path. I pride myself in having good communication skills and love to learn and overcome obstacles. I received a promotion, and knew I was not in the right place, even though I had achieved a decent status. All I did was talk about wanting to go back for nursing. Although, a full time job is important, passion and challenge will take a person much farther. Once again, my life was just okay in an office setting.

Reality struck again when my grandmother became ill and the dreaded "C" word entered her lungs. Her chemo treatments and a three-month continuous stay in the hospital taught me many life lessons in a short period. Even in an emotional state, I helped nurses and learned from nurses. A miracle happened when a nurse walked in and said, "I know you." She was the same nurse that took care of my father and family the night he passed. She became a caregiver, friend, and counselor to us once again. I believe things happen for a reason and even though it has taken me longer to move to the next step, I am still pushing ahead.

I know that nursing is a very vigorous and stressful field, but the satisfaction of knowing you helped a patient or family is rewarding. Nurses are role models, problem solvers, and caregivers. I saw all of these characteristics come together as I pursued my internship at AP&S Clinic, in Terre Haute. I helped in a variety of tasks and was able to see the teamwork that goes into a medical setting. Nurses are extremely important in the patients healing and wellbeing. They have amazing knowledge and help doctors tremendously. One doctor said to me, "I'd be lost without my nurse." She brushed it off and smiled at me, but I know that all of her hard work had paid off to receive such a compliment from a physician.

As a nurse, I would continue my education and advance at every possible opportunity. Nurses are teachers and should take pride in educating themselves and the community as much as possible. The medical world changes every day and new discoveries are worth researching. Eventually, I would like to strive to reach my bachelor degree and work in OB or pediatrics. I still love the thought of incorporating child development into my career since teaching is in my genes. Specializing in a certain study of nursing leads one to continue education and reach a higher goal.

I have matured and learned how much it means to have a goal, passion, and education. As my grandmother becomes stronger in rehab, every day, she became the happiest when I told her my decision about Harrison to attempt nursing school. As a graduate of Indiana Business College (Harrison), I am proud to say that the dedication, teachers, and encouragement are why I have a diploma and credentials. One day, I would like to add a second diploma and R.N. after my name.

Follow up: My grandmother became too sick to hang on to her life as cancer and pneumonia took over her body. She passed Oct. 2nd, 2010 which was the first week of my nursing classes. She did get to see my letter for acceptance into nursing school, which was comfort to me. I am in my 4th quarter of school and looking forward to graduating with my RN in a year. I know she would be proud as I continue my dream.