It has been twelve months of this craziness that is nursing school. It's been stressful, miserable, joyful, exciting, and so trying in so many ways. I'm thankful for where I am today, but getting to this point has been one heck of a journey.
I knew it would be. Everyone warned me. But truthfully, nothing could've prepared me for nursing school. For crying with patients, praying with patients, studying cellular physiology which I formerly HATED, and learning to love studying the nursing process.
One thing that happened this block which has been super cool is falling in love with nursing again. During block 2, I was pretty sure that whatever the heck this nursing thing was was not for me. I hated med-surg, and of course, every staff RN was stoked to tell me that new grads inevitably have to do their time and become med-surg nurses. During block 3, that all changed for me.
I decided to become a pediatric nurse after spending time on the pediatric oncology floor at Phoenix Children's Hospital. That was when I was 12, but I never lost track of that dream. Now here I am, finishing block 3 of nursing school, and 4 months from being an RN. I FELL IN LOVE WITH PEDIATRIC NURSING. I love those babies, those kiddos, and those mamas. I am thankful to be apart of their care, their smiles and tears, their joys and their fears.
This week I went to Camp Rainbow, Phoenix Children's Hospital's pediatric oncology camp. Not only did I get to spend time with AMAZING advanced practice nurses and physicians, I met some of the most amazing oncology nurses in the world - I am sure of it. They know those kiddos so personally and their care reflects the care I know they would provide for their own kiddos. Those nurses have invested not only their vocational skills in those kids, but their entire hearts and souls. It's mind boggling to see.
While I was at camp, I had a conversation with a camper who will be attending Grand Canyon University this year and taking some of the same classes I took my freshman year. She shared with me how her dream career would be to become a neurosurgeon, however, due to secondary health concerns after her cancer treatment, she could never become a neurosurgeon. My heart ached listening to her story. She is beautiful and talented and smart and has dreams just like so many girls I know, but her dream is inaccessible to her. I have taken for granted the fact that I can literally chase any dream I want to pursue. I could become a neurosurgeon, or a lawyer, or stay a nurse. Not everyone has that option. I'll never take for granted the amazing opportunity I have to chase my dreams in an uninhibited way. Also, side note, this lovely lady was not at all complaining or disappointed by her situation. Instead, she joyfully shared with me how she will pursue neuropsychology instead, and focus on a more clinical side as opposed to surgery.
It's been super cool to see everything come full circle, and realize that even though my selected fields of nursing have changed throughout school, I truly still fell in love with the very field I loved when I decided to become a nurse - pediatric oncology. I'm not sure if that's where I'll start as a new grad, but it's amazing to see that even through many changes, the pediatric oncology field has remained my favorite.
Thanks for reading and being involved in my journey. :)
PS. Part 2 to follow on this post tonight - I'm off to study for my comprehensive final exam on Friday.
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