From highschool dropout to DNP student

Melanie Anon, RN I had a difficult upbringing with a single mother and a father who was a refugee from the Czech Republic. My father had his own problems, so it wasn’t surprising when he completely disappeared from my life after I was in my early 20s. And after I was an adolescent, my relationship with him caused me loads of anxiety. I dropped out of highschool my sophomore yr, leaving my family dissatisfied and hopeless. I used to be asked to go away my home, so I moved in with a friend to survive. But after a couple of years of couch browsing, I learned that friendly handouts and hospitality weren’t enough to remain alive, so I applied to school. At the age of 17, I used to be emancipated and obtained my GED, which allowed me to legally enroll at a neighborhood university in New Mexico. That’s when I made a decision to pursue nursing. However, my inner anxiety and lack of support from my family weakened my motivation to finish my studies and I dropped out.

Life goes on

I got married on the age of 19 and my husband on the time encouraged me to take up a job that made me pleased. I discovered a fast-track medical assistant program for $3,800 that allowed me to take the CMA national certification after just six months. After completing this system, I got my first job in a pediatrician’s office and quickly realized that pediatrics was not for me. I could not bear to see children suffering. I began working at an urgent care center in Tucson, Arizona, where I met a health care provider who encouraged me. One day he spent hours telling me how smart I used to be and that I needed to change into a registered nurse.

I argued with him. I didn’t think I might find a way to graduate after years of failure. But six months later, I divorced my husband and moved back to Phoenix to pursue my dreams.

I used to be a 21-year-old divorcee going back to school with only a highschool education in my sophomore yr of highschool. I studied for weeks to retake the 101 class to avoid classes that did not count towards passing. I used to be on my way, but a gathering with a counselor to be named chief nursing officer took the wind out of my sails. It seems that there was a three-year waiting list for any nursing program, and the university I used to be hoping to attend didn’t accept students with a GPA below 3.8 and high TEAS scores. Everyone told me it was unimaginable to get there. I cried many nights for this reason. Each class was harder than the last, but I told myself that although I hadn’t gotten an A since middle school, I had to search out a strategy to do it because I needed to face out. And I did. After achieving a high GPA, I transferred to a university and graduated from one of the crucial competitive nursing programs in Arizona. I spent two years within the cardiac ward and was successful in my profession.

Setting your next goal

The doctor, who was an in depth friend of mine, all the time encouraged me to do more. He jogged my memory of the orthopedic doctor who urged me to proceed. I followed his advice and applied to a competitive nursing internship program. I used to be accepted! During the primary half of this system, I got married, had a baby, survived the pandemic, supported myself on student loans, experienced health issues related to work-related TB exposure, and more. Fortunately, I had the support of my husband and mother in all this, which meant the world to me.

It’s hard to remain focused, especially when something is going on in life, but when you actually need something, you’ve got to inform yourself you could achieve it and never quit.

Throughout my life, I rarely believed in myself. I believed I used to be silly. I swore I might never return to highschool. And after I did, I never thought I might change into a nurse. But I all the time kept going. I told myself, “I don’t know how I’ll do it, but I’ll find a way.” When I modified my considering, I modified my life. I encourage all of you who contemplate, persevere and wish to maintain going until you achieve your goals. Take a break, cry, scream, laugh, wipe your tears and move on.