As a Clinical Nursing Instructor, the first question I always ask of my students is "Why did you go into nursing?" I always get the typical responses of: A) I want to help people; B) My aunt/mother/neighbor is a nurse and influenced me; or C) When my grandfather/mother/brother was in the hospital, I saw what the nurses did and decided I wanted to do it. I have to laugh to myself when I hear their stories because I experienced none of these things. I totally just "fell" into nursing, not having a clue what I was getting into. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I was born in the early 1970s and I am the youngest of three children. I had a wonderful childhood in my hometown of Stratford, Connecticut where I enjoyed a typical 70's and 80's childhood- big wheels, Atari and Cabbage Patch Kids followed by boom boxes, boys and big hair. My mom was married right out of high school, in the usual early 1960's style, and had always wanted to be a nurse. At the age of 45, when her youngest (me) was finishing high school, she decided to go to nursing school.
One night, I reluctantly accompanied her to an open house at Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing, so she wouldn't have to go alone. As a typical rebellious and self absorbed teenager, I had no real goals or plans for the future. The school offered free tuition in exchange for one year of employment at the hospital. Not knowing what I wanted to do after high school, I decided to give nursing school a shot. I figured for a two year investment of time and free tuition, I would have marketable skills and something to fall back on, for whatever I decided to pursue. After hearing my plan, my very best friend (since the age of six) decided that I was "onto something" and also applied to the program. With my mom and my best friend at my side, an incredible journey began. The three of us attending school- together.
Classes began the Tuesday after Labor Day, and by Friday we began hospital rotations. I had never been inside a hospital, with the exception of a few stitches in the ER. I was utterly terrified at first, but that fear soon subsided and a love of nursing began - I was hooked. Nursing is like nothing else in the world. When I am "in the zone" and truly helping someone - whether it be pushing meds in a code or simply holding a patient's hand - I am filled with a feeling that is hard to describe. I am transformed into a different person - stronger, more focused - a nurse. When I am fully immersed in nursing practice, all of my own problems, concerns and little "aches and pains" completely disappear. I am focused and driven to actions I never thought I would be capable of. I feel a deep connection to humanity and I feel the presence of a force much greater than myself. I'll say it again - there is truly nothing else like it in the world!
To see the specifics of my 20 year history in nursing, I invite you to view my resume.
Also, you can view my rantings as a brand-spanking new blogger by clicking the link.
I was born in the early 1970s and I am the youngest of three children. I had a wonderful childhood in my hometown of Stratford, Connecticut where I enjoyed a typical 70's and 80's childhood- big wheels, Atari and Cabbage Patch Kids followed by boom boxes, boys and big hair. My mom was married right out of high school, in the usual early 1960's style, and had always wanted to be a nurse. At the age of 45, when her youngest (me) was finishing high school, she decided to go to nursing school.
One night, I reluctantly accompanied her to an open house at Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing, so she wouldn't have to go alone. As a typical rebellious and self absorbed teenager, I had no real goals or plans for the future. The school offered free tuition in exchange for one year of employment at the hospital. Not knowing what I wanted to do after high school, I decided to give nursing school a shot. I figured for a two year investment of time and free tuition, I would have marketable skills and something to fall back on, for whatever I decided to pursue. After hearing my plan, my very best friend (since the age of six) decided that I was "onto something" and also applied to the program. With my mom and my best friend at my side, an incredible journey began. The three of us attending school- together.
Classes began the Tuesday after Labor Day, and by Friday we began hospital rotations. I had never been inside a hospital, with the exception of a few stitches in the ER. I was utterly terrified at first, but that fear soon subsided and a love of nursing began - I was hooked. Nursing is like nothing else in the world. When I am "in the zone" and truly helping someone - whether it be pushing meds in a code or simply holding a patient's hand - I am filled with a feeling that is hard to describe. I am transformed into a different person - stronger, more focused - a nurse. When I am fully immersed in nursing practice, all of my own problems, concerns and little "aches and pains" completely disappear. I am focused and driven to actions I never thought I would be capable of. I feel a deep connection to humanity and I feel the presence of a force much greater than myself. I'll say it again - there is truly nothing else like it in the world!
To see the specifics of my 20 year history in nursing, I invite you to view my resume.
Also, you can view my rantings as a brand-spanking new blogger by clicking the link.