What helped you the most to get you through nursing school? And was it hard?

I’ve been an Registered Nurse for about 11 years now- I got my Associates Degree in Nursing back in 2008 through 2 different community colleges. Yes, it was hard. And stressful. And downright overwhelming at times, but early on, I made a commitment to myself to do whatever it took for me to make it, & I stuck it out- day after day, week after week, year after year. In the end, it was absolutely worth it. I am extremely proud of what I accomplished in graduating from Nursing school, & Nursing as a profession is extremely rewarding, offering so much to those who pursue this field.

The first school I attended was unnecessarily difficult- the educators were unsupportive, & they deliberately created a hostile learning environment (better to weed out the “weak” students now, since only the strong survive in “the real world” of Nursing). I ended up leaving that program 2 semesters away from graduation (I experienced an unplanned pregnancy during my 3rd semester, & I was prejudicially pressured into withdrawing by my Instructor- apparently, you can’t be pregnant & learn at the same time).

So, after taking a year off, I chose to re-enter a new, completey different type of program- one where the students were supported & encouraged to succeed every step of the way. What a difference choosing that program made- if only I had started there in the beginning! Two semesters later, I went on to graduate at the top of my class. I picked Savannah, GA as my NCLEX testing location (I decided to reward myself for finally graduating by using my exams as a way to take a little mini-vacation!), & I ended up passing with flying colors. Afterwards, & within just 3 months of graduating Nursing school, I was beginning my career as a Staff Nurse in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the Southeast..

The one thing that got me through it all- through the ups and downs, the late nights & endless studying, the never-ending river of written reports & care-plans, the uncertainty & lack of confidence, the difficult exams, the difficult patients, the horrible teachers, the fear of hurting a patient at clinicals, EVERYTHING...was because of my reason for choosing to pursue Nursing in the first place: I was born to help people, & being a Nurse is all I’ve ever wanted to be. I genuinely care about the wellbeing of others, & I consider Nursing to be my calling, not just my job & not just my career. I found my purpose in dedicating my life to be of service to those in need. It is this genuine sense of compassion & empathy for human suffering that motivated me to succeed then, & now.

THAT is what got me through Nursing school, & it’s what continues to get me up for my work as a Nurse today, 11 years & countless patients later.