Nursing isn't for everybody. It's not a glamorous job, or an easing one. It doesn't bring in millions of dollars or fame and glory. Nursing is caring for people. It's helping those who can't or don't know how to help themselves. Nursing is intense. It's making sure that the plan of care for each individual patient is going to help, an not hurt--and believe me, if a mistake is made it's not always the "oops, let me fix that for you!" It's where every decision you make has an impact on somebody's life.

I first began to think that I wanted to work in the health care industry when I was in middle school. I went to a conference for young girls interested in careers in science, and was encouraged to shadow an occupational therapist for a few days. I was able to interact with patients, and experience first-hand how involved the OT was with helping and rehabilitating his patients. It was after this that I knew I wanted to help people for a living- specifically in health care. I had no idea until I was seeing, hearing, and hands-on that I wanted to dedicate my education and career to helping others in this way. After a little research into many different possible professions, nursing appeared to be the option that best suited me. It focused on a more holistic approach to health care and the patient, and would allow me many options should I want to specialize in a particular area such as geriatrics, pediatrics, or surgery.

The knowledge that I wanted to become specifically a pediatric nurse came from my love for working with children. I love to work with kids hands-on, and experience interacting with and caring for them which solidified my resolve to become a pediatric nurse. Combining the two things I knew I was passionate about through experience only seemed natural to me, and has led me to where I am now- studying nursing in college.

Something that further solidified my resolve to become a nurse was and is a very special little girl. My best friend’s younger sister was born with a congenital heart defect called Ebstein's Anomaly. This particular CHD effects the right atrium, which is the side of the heart that pumps blood into the lungs to be oxygenated. Essentially, her body doesn't get enough oxygen. Mia’s life has been filled with hospitals and surgeries. She's encountered a number of doctors and nurses and other health professionals throughout treatment. She just recently completed her third open heart surgery, and we are all incredibly grateful that it went well. Keep in mind though, these surgeries were palliative- they won't completely fix Mia's heart, but they certainly will help. This little girl has been so strong in her 5 years of life, and her family has been as well.

Knowing that I could help families like theirs, and little girls like Mia is everything I need to know that nursing is my calling in life. If I can help just one family, just one child, then all of the tests and clinical hours and stress and lack of sleep will be worth it.