The End of the Nursing School Journey

I am a little late on posting about December events, but almost a month ago was a big day for me. After 18 months, I graduated from the A&M nursing program with a BSN (Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing).

Looking back, the time went by pretty quickly although there were many moments throughout that it felt  never ending. I am very grateful and reminded of what wonderful people I have in my life that have been there to support me. Forrest in particular has been so encouraging and positive from the start, and I truly would not have ever applied had it not been for him.

I remember the day we talked about it…  I was terrified at the thought of making the transition (quitting my full- time  job, taking classes, applying, getting a new part-time job, waiting for the letter). Worried about affording nursing school, worried about not getting into the program and being like “now what?” Forrest gave me all the assurance I needed that we would be fine and I could do it, and I did. It feels great to be done. I feel very blessed and fortunate to be where I am at now.

Thank you family and dear friends who reminded me over and over that I could do it. Thank you for putting up with me when I was stressed and being understanding (Sister & Mom, sorry for being a little out of it during some of our phone conversations!) Thank you Matt, for making me laugh everyday and for the best friendship I could ask for. Thank you Stacie for being a little angel in this whole process and providing so much guidance. Thank you to everyone who came to my graduation – Mom & Dad, Sister & Reagan, Amberly, Abigail, Ashton, Aiden, Cheri, Big Forrest, Nena, Gramps, Dede, Rob, and Forrest.  I was so proud to have you all there.

I also got very lucky in getting a job. It might come as a surprise, but graduating nurses across Texas have not been so lucky. The main hospital here locally was basically on a hiring freeze which made me quite nervous, but I did have a little bit of help and somewhat of an “in” I guess you could say.

Forrest has been the project manager on all of the construction going on with the hospital for the past 3+ years. So he knows a lot of the “big fish” around there, one being the director of maternal nursing. He was a little bird in her ear for probably the entire 18 months I was in school, reminding her of how she needed to hire me when I was out. He set up an interview with her for me back in October. During the very casual interview, she told me that my dear friend and L&D nurse, Stacie (mentioned above), told her great things about me. The director then went on to tell me that she wanted to hire me, that she hasn’t hired a new nurse in she can’t remember how long, and that it was just a matter of getting the position approved. Then during my preceptorship, she informed me that the position had been approved by the V.P. and that I got the job.

Telling this story, I feel like I got some kind of job working for the President. And here I am talking about nursing! Ha ha…but although it may not sound like much to some, it is the dream job to me. I could not be more excited. I feel like I won the golden ticket and that God just continues to make things happen for me. I hope to always remember this during my career, how I got started, how I got so lucky. I feel like I only owe the best of me every day in that hospital. I pray regularly that God will make me the best nurse I can be.