Probably one of the most commonly asked questions in people's lives is, "what do you want to do when you grow up?" I'm not sure of actual statistics, but how many people actually become what they said they would as a child? As a little girl I could always be found playing with my baby dolls, playing house or school, preparing for life as a mom and/or teacher. Whenever we had family gatherings I was always begging to hold the babies, and quickly found myself babysitting kiddos in middle school. In high school, teaching is what I thought I was supposed to do, it just made sense. But, God took over and pretty soon I was thinking on a new page and started college with a declared major of nursing. It's crazy to think I made it through nursing school, I don't give blood, shots are the worst, and I'm a horrible patient. Here I am though, out of nursing school and almost three years into a career I've come to love. It's pretty incredible that God can take something we have our minds so set on, and turn it in a completely opposite direction.
I started nursing with a desire to pursue pediatric nursing, particularly pediatric oncology nursing. After a pretty humbling job searching experience, I landed a job in labor and delivery, not really a place I had pictured myself working. Now, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Being able to be a part of life each and every day is one of the greatest and most humbling experiences I'll ever be a part of. Yes, some days are sad, but most are joyous occasions and celebrations. I'm still in awe over how people can watch a baby being born and not believe there is a God. I could go on and on about the way God has transformed my passion and heart for women, young teen moms, and pregnancy. What I want to focus on though, is the career itself, and how that relates to me as a young professional.
I was clueless when I graduated and started working as a RN. In nursing school we only have one semester of L&D, and on average each student only gets to see about one birth per semester. Needless to say, I knew very little when starting my nursing career. With the help of a few mentors, encouraging and patient coworkers, and a willingness to learn, I've come a long way. I think everyone kinda starts at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to their first career, working crazy hours, learning new stuff constantly, trying to figure out your own routine in doing things. It was vital for my first years to have coworkers who answered my questions, offered me advice, and encouraged me to do things on my own. Although I feel comfortable and confident in my workplace at UAB, travel nursing has been a huge learning experience and confidence booster. I've never been one to do something to advance my career, I'm not a fan of going to grad school, don't really have a desire to work in a hospital forever, and really just prefer to take orders rather than delegate them. Deciding to do travel nursing was partly due to the confidence and competence I knew it would build in myself, adding more experience to my resume. And it has. I've learned so much over the past few months. I've become more confident in my skills, more bold in my confrontation with physicians, and more willing to ask questions and not be afraid to admit that I may be wrong. It's been rough, but it's been good. Getting thrown into the unknown every few months, figuring out your own routine amidst such different environments, learning to work with different types of people and personalities. I'm so thankful for this chance to grow, to mature, and to see life happen all over the country.
I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna be a labor and delivery staff nurse forever, but it's where God has me now. These experiences are meant to prepare me for something grand down the road, until then... "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man...it is the Lord Christ you are serving..." Colossians 3:23-24
just a glimpse of the past few weeks...
Quick visit to the Texas state capital building
Thankful my awesome parents got to come visit for a few days. We spent some time wandering around Austin, hiking Enchanted Rock, and checking out the wildflowers in Fredericksburg (below)
Mini Apple Family reunion in Austin, visits with my brothers, cousins, and dear friends from college, work, and camp
Spring days at the park
Spent my off day with the peacocks
