I was sure Nursing was not for me
I never wanted to become a nurse. What a strong statement right? As a child I was scared of blood and getting my hands on any type of invasive work. Growing up, nursing has been the known “national” career of choice in the Philippines. And I wanted to be different.
I avoided nursing at any cost and prepared for something else in High School. I took sciences–Chemistry and Physics, and not Biology. I wanted to be an Engineer. Not because I love Chemistry and Physics or Math, but just because. So I got lost along the way. Confused at what career path to choose, I ended up working for a year to live my life as a teenager. I worked at McDonalds to have fun and in the process, tried to figure out what I should do. After two years, I knew I could do better and had a sudden urge to find a program where I can get in for a higher pay and different experience. I became a certified Medical Office Assistant through British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) with flying colors and worked at an Ophthalmology clinic. Later on I had jobs at a few walk in clinics. It was fun working and being friends with my co-MOAs and physicians. But after two years, again I started to crave school because I felt that I could do more. I was literally not satisfied with the work I do.
But maybe Nursing is not so bad after all
I had a sudden light bulb moment while at work and thought, I could actually be a nurse! I mean why not? The medical field was so interesting and I would rather do some magic and heal the sickest. Without me knowing that what I was avoiding for the longest time was actually my destined career and life path. With the help of one of my physician colleagues and my idol, Dr. Susan Biali Haas (http://susanbiali.com), I finally decided to take a leap of faith, applied for student loans and lines of credit from the banks to come up with twenty-two thousand dollars right away. I did not care how much debt I was getting myself into and my motivation was just overflowing. I went and studied Practical Nursing in Vancouver Career College, and after a year became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). I worked at various long term care facilities, also known as care homes across the lower mainland. It was such a fulfilling job and I was learning tons. I mastered working with the elderly population in this setting and understood our health care system better (the goods and the gaps).
Wow, Nursing is such an amazing profession
My heart was set into moving upwards and in my desire to expand my scope of practice, I worked on getting accepted into college again. While I worked as an LPN, I was taking courses as pre-requisites to get into the full stream Registered Nursing (RN) program. And again after two years (I’m starting to think two is really my lucky number), I got accepted into Langara College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Program. Tough tough program, but with hard work, amazing support system, and outlets (singing in bands and modeling–as the featured photo above used in Times Telecom print and site ads), I made it and got my credentials as a BScN graduate.
I juggled working at a hospital in Cardiac Stepdown Unit and working at a care facility with a leadership/charge role and learned a whole new world. Later on I moved on to another hospital and focused on Medical and Stroke unit, and while at work I felt the crave again. Two years (again, indeed) after graduating I planned to take my Masters Degree. This career kept growing on me. But life happened (beautifully and meaningfully) and so my focus changed into starting my very own family. After all, they are the reason for all these hard work! But my career just took a break and now I am ready for my next career move!
So I realized Nursing is my true calling
In the end no matter how much I avoided it, I was actually born to do this not-so-fancy, not-for-everyone kind of calling, but an amazing, fulfilling, life-saving profession called Nursing. Learned it the hard way but here I am and proud to be.
The moral lesson is, it doesn’t matter how much you plan or not plan your career in life. Because in the end, may it be a long or short journey, you are destined to do what you are called upon. Your purpose in life.
