Becoming an RN: My Journey to Freedom

Are you at a crossroads, wondering if nursing is the right path for you? It’s a question that weighs heavily on many aspiring nurses, and I’m here to offer some insight.

Let’s address the elephant in the room – nursing isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Just like any other career, it comes with its fair share of challenges. But before you let that discourage you, let me share why I believe nursing offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and fulfillment.

In my previous career, I experienced both highs and lows. There were certainly some positives, but the negatives overshadowed them. Sound familiar? It’s a common scenario many of us face before finding our true calling.

Now, don’t get me wrong – nursing isn’t without its challenges. It’s demanding, emotionally and physically draining at times, and requires unwavering dedication. But amidst the trials, there lies a world of endless possibilities waiting to be explored.

In today’s fast-paced world, finding the right career fit can feel like navigating a maze. I’ve had my fair share of twists and turns in my professional journey, but it was the suffocating confines of a 9-5 cubicle job with extremely limited promotional opportunities that ultimately propelled me toward nursing.

Picture this: endless hours spent staring at a screen, with little to no human interaction. The monotony of it all drained my soul and left me feeling disconnected from the world around me. As the days blurred into one another, I felt like I was slowly being swallowed whole by the corporate machine. 

And then, the world shut down, thrusting us all into the realm of remote work. While some reveled in the newfound freedom of working from home, for me, it only exacerbated the feeling of being trapped. Home became my office, and work seeped into every aspect of my life. The constant fear of being tethered to my computer, always on call for my boss, took a toll on my mental and physical well-being.

However, the most significant realization dawned upon me when I acknowledged that work had become mundane. My days were consumed by purposeless meetings, endless report running, drafting lengthy emails, and a pervasive sense of being undervalued. I felt devoid of control over my future, and my efforts seemed futile, benefitting only the company I served. Despite persisting at full capacity, my enthusiasm waned. And just to clarify, I have no issue with work from home jobs, it was mostly the specific position I held that gave me a sense of unfulfillment and a desire to change. The once burning passion for my work had extinguished, and motivation eluded me. Recognizing the need for change, I yearned to liberate myself from the confines of corporate life and restore my wellbeing and joy. 

Enter nursing.

Having previously worked as a phlebotomist, I had already tasted the satisfaction that comes from making a tangible difference in someone’s life. The opportunity to provide hands-on patient care, to be there for people in their moments of vulnerability, called to me like a beacon in the darkness. I had also recently completed a Bachelors degree in Biology, so I was already stepping towards a new career in healthcare.

So, why nursing?

There are several reasons why nursing became my chosen path. 

Firstly, to be transparent, nursing wasn’t my initial career choice. Following the completion of my first degree, I set my sights on medicine, applying to Physician Assistant programs. However, despite my efforts, I found myself consistently placed on waitlists. As time passed and I grew older, I came to terms with the possibility of needing to pursue an alternative route. Nursing emerged as my second option, and upon my initial application, I was accepted into a program.

Secondly, nursing symbolizes freedom for me – the freedom to enact tangible change, forge deeper connections, live a life imbued with purpose and satisfaction, and pursue career advancements that could yield financial benefits. Nursing has many paths and offers a multitude of career opportunity which I have not found in any other type of job. 

Thirdly, as cliché as it may seem, the joy of aiding others resonates deeply within me, and nursing provides the perfect platform to turn that passion into action.

Over the years of working as a nurse I have found that nursing is not just a job, but a chance to be part of something greater than myself. You won’t feel it until you actually do it. So, to all the aspiring nurses out there, wondering if this path is right for you, I urge you to listen to your gut. Go for it, and discover a new career that provides opportunity and where every day brings new challenges and new rewards. 

In the end, I make an impact and difference in people’s lives every day as I assist the most vulnerable. I work in a team environment where everyone supports each other. I could never say these things about my last job. The connections you build with people through nursing last for a lifetime, and there are not many careers where you can have that level of meaningful interaction. These reasons alone give me good reason to proudly proclaim: I am a nurse.