Fulfilling a Dream: How I Earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

Stage one: I set a goal

I got my first stethoscope once I was six years old. It was in the medication cabinet that my siblings and I used to look at our dolls. I finally decided I desired to turn out to be a nurse. During my senior yr of highschool, I wrote a future goal in my yearbook: “I will pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.”

The entire graduating class wrote down their goals of their yearbooks. I’m wondering how lots of them succeeded. But I’ll let it go.

Stage two: Blinded by love

After graduating in 1982, I attended Temple University and commenced working toward my goal, but soon life took a distinct turn.

At university, I discovered classes difficult, but they were manageable and I did well – I stayed focused and enjoyed campus life. It was great. Then I met a person and I used to be blinded by love. He was my first boyfriend.

Of course, I lost interest in nursing. Love will do this to you. He had a job, his own apartment and a automotive. And he selected me.

We got married soon and two daughters were born. I could not reconcile family life with school and eventually dropped out of faculty. I loved my family, so I wasn’t devastated by leaving school. For now, I felt good in my role as my kid’s nurse. I used to be completely happy and believed the whole lot was superb – until my marriage fell apart.

Stage three: Mixing the brand new plan

Since our girls were already going to high school, I took a job as a nursing assistant in a nursing home. In those days, nursing assistants were trained within the nursing home and didn’t must be certified. As I worked, I watched LPNs and RNs administer medications, dress wounds, feed through tubes, etc. “I can do this,” I told myself.

I worked as a nursing assistant for a number of years, then went to LPN school. I’m still friends with a few of my friends from this school. After this system ended, I continued working in a nursing home as an LPN and shadowed RNs, observing and learning until I got the prospect to turn out to be one.

I assisted the RNs in treating patients and performing assessments. “I can do this,” I told myself.

Stage Four: Another Chance to Become an RN

I then went on to check nursing at Community College of Philadelphia (CCP). My experience as an LPN made clinical research easier. Unfortunately, I used to be kicked out of this system after accruing too many absences during my daughter’s hospitalization. The policy was that if you happen to missed a certain variety of clinical days, you were absent. The reason didn’t matter. I cried.

One of my instructors assured me that I could come back next semester. “This doesn’t have to be the end,” she said. – You can come back. I dried my tears and went home to feed the child.

I returned the next semester and managed to get through it – this time with none problems. I passed the NCLEX exam for an RN in 1993. While my classmates were taking jobs in hospitals, I welcomed one other daughter into the world with my second husband, Charles. He supported me at college and helped with the kids. I like you, Charles.

I gave birth to 2 more children and stayed at home with them for a while. I later joined a nursing agency to provide my family freedom and adaptability. Nursing is in my blood, but family all the time comes first.

Stage five: From long-term care to trauma

The children are getting older. We desired to buy our recent dream house, so I took a full-time job in a big hospital. I became a nurse on an orthopedic ward, caring for patients with gunshot wounds, traction broken limbs, and every kind of injuries. I have to admit it was difficult because I spent most of my profession in long-term care.

There were all types of bells and whistles happening on a regular basis. There is rarely a dull moment on this unit, but I loved the teamwork. I worked on this hospital for a few years, holding a specialist medical diploma. But soon there have been whispers that hospitals were moving toward requiring nurses to have bachelor’s degrees and inspiring them to return to high school.

I saw the writing on the wall and remembered what I had written in my yearbook: “I will pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.”

Stage six: Crossing the goal line

I earned my BSN from Immaculata University in Immaculata, Pennsylvania! All of my classmates were licensed RNs. We weren’t required to conduct clinical trials because all of us had many hours of clinical experience. I received my BSN in 2010. Memories of graduation all the time recall to mind the song “Celebrate” by Kool & the Gang.

“Celebrate the good times, come on!” And boy did I rejoice. My yearbook resolution has finally come true. My dream got here true.

Stage Seven: Why stop at a bachelor’s degree?

I’m older now. The orthopedic department provided me with experience and skills, nevertheless it was time for me to maneuver and make room for younger nurses. Let them get their hands dirty. I accepted a position at rehab. After several years of working there, I passed the exam to turn out to be a Certified Rehabilitation Nurse and I even have been working within the department to today. I definitely see myself retiring here and feeling fulfilled.

My manager supports and inspires me, my colleagues are great and we work well together. I like this unit and still am amazed once I see my patients progress and emerge stronger than after they entered.

Already on the age of 6 I knew that I desired to help people. I achieved what I got down to do. My path to becoming a nurse was bumpy, but that never discouraged me. I thank God for allowing me to turn out to be one.

Nursing might not be glamorous, but I adore it. I hope my story encourages others to never surrender. Just remember which you could overcome any bumps within the road. You just must keep going.