longest post EVER.

There is nothing more inspiring and joyous than the beauty of fall. It is literally my favorite time of year. I find myself jumping from one fall-themed activity to the next: overdosing on pumpkin spice lattes, lotions and candles, decorating my cottage, and wearing boots every single day. It is just glorious. And it has also marked the beginning of a school year for the last 16 years of my life (woah!).

Lately I’ve been giving a lot of thought to life. About what makes me happy, how I should fill my time, where I should steer my career, and whatnot. About how I should let what truly makes me joyous and what I am passionate about guide my next steps. I am in the happiest point of my life right now, and in 100% agreement that it gets better after high school.

During the past couple months my attitude towards nursing has had a complete turnaround. Literally, a 180. I don’t think it could’ve been more different. I was LOATHING every moment during my labor and delivery rotation, counting down the minutes to the weekend, barely able to fake my enthusiasm with every baby bath. I was preoccupied with a new beau, and getting adjusted to the uber-social RA role I had recently taken on in residence. One year later, and I’m here. Truer to myself that I’ve ever been, independent and beginning to see my own inner beauty. I’ve settled into a lovely little cottage I am so thrilled to call home, and feeling proud about choosing nursing as a career.  

A combination of events have led me to realize that staying in the education-realm is where I should be. I am currently in the tail end of my leadership rotation, and my eyes have really been opened to the roles and responsibilities of RN’s beyond bedside nursing. Both my coach and instructor have been great influences on possible career options. I’ve always admired the work of professors and instructors, and I find teaching to be an admirable profession.

I’ve reflected a lot over my childhood dream of being a doctor. In reality, it’s a lot different from theory. A lot. Medicine has turned out to be a lot different than what I had thought it was (or perhaps I was the one who changed... )

I’m also realizing that nursing can be a badass profession. Badass as in, essential. Critical. Requiring guts, a brain, a heart. Not for the weak (ahem - see previous post!). All through school I’ve had this image in my mind that nursing was fluffy and touchy-feely. And for the most part, it is. But I wish I had a role model through my undergrad that could’ve represented the other side of it – perhaps I wouldn’t have resented it so much. But I’ve learned for myself this other side of it, and I’m realizing it’s not so bad after all. I’ve learned to be proud in calling myself a nurse. 

All this being said, my favorite place is to be in school. I love the environment, the lifestyle, and the way of life. I haven't thrown away pursuing a career in bedside nursing - I just know that sooner or later, I'll end up back in class :) So with the end of this degree looming closely, I’m looking ahead! The possibility of being an instructor or professor sounds very appealing. And with imminent winter graduation comes the potential of beginning a graduate program in fall…. A MASTERS PROGRAM! My stars, I can’t believe that graduate school is a very real possibility for me. So more details on that to come :) 

Well - I suppose you could’ve just skipped the body of this very long post to this point right here: I am so happy with life and school. Life is good. And I’m definitely addicted to pumpkin spice lattes. 

D.