Remember when...

I was a music major in voice, but I worked as a CNA during my breaks. While in 11th grade, my mom had learned in a parent meeting that my school would be adding the course as an elective. She suggested I do it -- it was "honorable" work, I could make more than minimum wage, AND who knows, maybe I would grow an interest in nursing.

I became certified in the spring of my senior year, and got my first job in LTC that summer. I. LOVED. IT. :) Fast forward two years, and I had sunk into a pretty deep depression -- including losing my joy in singing. I liked performing and liked hearing from others that I had "a beautiful voice," and I loved choir, but the hours spent alone in the glorified boxes that were practice rooms.... It was isolating.

But my work and the residents I cared for -- they were my happy place. I even remember telling my folks that if it weren't such a physical job, I might like to be a career CNA.

I changed my major to nursing, and I've never regretted it!

I went to college to study journalism, and worked as a professional for 15 years before losing my public radio job in the Great Recession of 2008. It took me a while to realize that besides finding it impossible to secure another media job, I was losing my drive to do the work.

That is when I made nursing school a goal. As a journalist, I had done a number of health-care related stories, including one about the longest-living person in Kentucky with an L-VAD. I had also done stories on the health inequalities between Whites and African-Americans.

I was also always the kid who loved watching television medical dramas, and loved visiting sick relatives in the hospital, because hospital facilities seemed so intriguing to me.

It took a while to do all of the biology classes required for nursing school, but I did it.

I have only been a nurse for a year, so I have no idea what I expect from this career change. If I had failed out nursing school, I would have become a social worker because I am very interested in social justice issues.

Which is why I often think public health is where I need to be!

Yes! Public health is incredibly rewarding.

Initially, my dad made me go (LPN '86). The economic disasters of '08 made me go (ASN-RN '10). Recent nursing trends and the domino effect strongly encouraged me to keep it moving (BSN '14).

Now, the burning desire to retire comfortably on a higher salary from a career that I had no desire to become a part of has become the driving force for me to mount up for one last ride (MSN tentative completion April '19).

I didn't choose nursing; nursing didn't choose me; and there sure as heck was no calling to fullfill:no:. Forces greater that me put me here:cautious: and kept me here:troll:....BUT I'M SO GOOD AT IT!!

Fought with my mom over 3 year or 4 year degree. I won. BSN.

Wore my cap for a few years.

People were admitted to the hospital the night before surgery, and stayed after!!!