Making the switch

I'm sure my story isn't the only story like it but I had quite the road to becoming a nurse.  When I went to college, actually even before I went to college, I was going to be a pediatrician.  I was going to be Dr. Jessica "Whatever My Last Name Would Be".  There was no doubt in my mind.  That's what I was going to do.  Then I got to USF, had the time of my life, maybe focused on my social life a little more than my education, and found myself a junior (almost senior) with no graduation date in sight.  I had changed my career path from Medicine to something unknown because I was no good at Organic Chemistry.  Yep.  Organic Chemistry was my Achilles heel.  I dropped that class in the first week and my med school dream disappeared and left me wondering what I was going to do with my life.  After changing my major 3 times in a semester, I decided I'd go with nursing.  My mom thought I was a crazy person because I couldn't stand blood, needles, people throwing up, all the things that go with being a nurse.  At the time, USF was only accepting once a year so my awesome advisor, and I use the word awesome loosely, told me to take some time off while I wait for my acceptance.  Not the best advice a girl with almost 120 credits wanted to hear.  Once again, I gave up my dream of being in the medical field.

Until one night, at 4am.  I had that light bulb moment that I wanted to be a nurse.  That nursing was where I was called to be.  So I researched nursing programs at other universities and community colleges.  I had a few community colleges I liked so I applied.  About a week later, I got an acceptance letter from Hillsborough Community College.  In the letter, I had a 4 day deadline to accept my seat before they pass it on to the next person.  I had 4 short days to turn my life completely upside down.  After talking with my mom, I made her send in my acceptance because it was too stressful for me.  By accepting that seat, I was finally going to be doing what I was meant to do.  But it also meant leaving everything I knew.  My school, my friends, my Chi Omega sisters, my job, and everything that I loved.  Oh and all of this would be happening in 2 months.  Too much for my poor little heart to handle.  But I put on my Big Girl Panties and walked through the door to my future.  Yeah it was hard saying goodbye to everything I knew, everyone I loved but I knew it was the only way I could be truly happy.  I moved back in with my parents and started my journey to become a nurse.

Not only did I have the time of my life, I also met the most amazing people.  If I never went to nursing school, I would not have met one of my very best friends.  Granted, at first, I was hoping he would be interested in me but I quickly learned that would never happen. Instead I gained a best friend.

I also started working at New York & Company where I met 2 of my favorite people.  At that point, the Bandits were created (more on that another day).

I met the Hubs and we all know how that story goes.

It also prepared me for my grown up life and everything that has happened since 2003.  I never regret my changing schools.  I wish some things played out differently but all in all, I love my life thanks to my decision to go to nursing school.  And I eventually went back to USF and finally graduated with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing.

7 years later, I feel like I'm a seasoned nurse.  I feel like I'm one of the nurses I used to work with in nursing school clinicals who seemed to have it all figured out.  I'm still learning and growing every day as a nurse but that's the beauty of this profession.  Every day there's something new to bring to your craft.

From my first day.......

To the most rewarding work I do now......

My life has been forever changed by those 4 days I had to decide whether to accept my seat or not.  I've never looked back since.....