An Outstanding Nurse... and Registered-Nurse-to-Be

Due to a severe case of Major Lack of Inspiration as of late, I've been completely MIA. I'm still here... and hope to be back in full force one of these days. The spring thaw will come.

******

In the meantime, I'm honored to present the first non-blogger entry for the Nursing Jobs educational scholarships, totalling $5,000 and to be awarded March 31. Get your entries posted by March 19!

When Shane sent this essay out, offering to let one of us post it to our blog, I was immediately drawn to Sarah's story of courage and affirmation. It would seem that she has been "called" to the right profession. What an incredible nurse! Check it out:

Why I Chose Nursing

by Sarah, LPN

Approximately 6 years ago, I was living in Raleigh, NC. I had a job in the mortgage industry, a "wonderful" husband, a beautiful home, two great kids, and thought I had it all. However, as it sometimes happens, the rug was pulled out from under my high-heeled shoes. My "wonderful" husband decided he wasn’t through dating other women and so we divorced. It was left up to me to provide for myself and my two children. Though I was making a 6-figure-a-year salary, I was quickly beginning to see that it isn’t always about the money. The stress of trying to take care of my children and make a living was catching up fast.

So, I turned to my high-school dream of becoming a nurse. It was a dream that I had pushed to the back of my mind when I decided to marry and start a family. But I could not pursue my goal, work, and take care of my children alone. So, I reluctantly left the city and returned to my childhood home in Arkansas - and to my family. My parents were such a great help in my pursuit of my RN. However, after 2 years of school, I realized that there was no way my children and I could continue without income. So I decided to take 11 months, get my LPN, and work until my children could graduate from high school. And that’s what I did.

I have always dreamed of being a nurse and now that I am, I realize even more that this is what I was born to do. I chose to work in the geriatric field because I feel a connection with the elderly and a need to protect the weak. I am in constant search of ways to make my residents feel useful and wanted. I can’t begin to describe the wonderful feeling of joy I receive from my job. Though my salary will never be as it once was, there truly is not enough money in the world to replace the feeling of satisfaction I receive in my work. I became a nurse because I want to make a difference. Now that I am an LPN, I want to continue my education and become an RN. I feel that as an RN I will have a greater effect on LPNs and other nurses. There’s a saying "give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day- teach him to fish and he’ll never be hungry". I feel that this can be applied to my current situation. As an LPN, I can touch the lives of my residents only. As an RN, I can influence the LPNs who will touch so many more.

At times I can’t understand why any caring person would not pursue nursing. Then, at other times I see nurses that make me question why they would consider nursing. I feel that nursing is a profession that each person should be "called" to do. Being a nurse is not what you do – it’s what you ARE. And I can proudly say, I am a Nurse.

******

Good luck to you, Sarah. It's obvious that you'll succeed in whatever path you choose.

N