Oh, the things Nursing School will teach you.

You just don't apply for nursing school.  There is a process set in place leading up to the moment you actually get your acceptance letter.  For me, that process began with many derailed paths, followed by a desire to be successful.

I can't share one of those stories about how I used to "play nurse" with my teddy bear or how I "always knew" that nursing was my calling.  Truth is, I never even thought about becoming a nurse.  I never had dreams about it.  In fact, I never even considered it until the fall of 2009 when I went back to school. 

Class after class, I kept truckin' along with my eye on the prize: become a nurse, make great money. Become a nurse, cash that first paycheck.  I am guilty of looking for the fastest way to make the most amount of  money, and nursing seemed to be that answer.

Then came the day I realized I was in my last semester of prerequisites. I was nervous to apply.   Not because I was desperate and determined to be a nurse, but because if I didn't get into the program, it would mean I had failed after 2.5 years of hard work.  It meant I would have to explain to my friends and family that I, once again, had to find another career option.

I sat in my car that day and cried when I opened my packet.  I read the acceptance letter over, and over, and over again because I could hardly see through my own tears.  They were tears of joy and relief. It was a very proud moment for me. 

What I didn't realize in that very moment was that I was facing a 16 month journey.  I also didn't realize it would be one filled with many new friends, struggles, successes,  and many, many life lessons. 

So here is to nursing school and the many things I have learned here. Here's to the good, the bad, the ugly, the fun, the tears, the struggles, the friends, the teachers, the patients and the memories.