When I first became a nurse, I started out in adult Med-Surg/Telemetry—and I’ll be honest, I was second-guessing my entire career. I had worked so hard to get here, but something felt off. I kept asking myself, “Did I really go through nursing school just to feel this drained?” But nursing is funny like that—sometimes the path you start on isn’t the one you’re meant to stay on. And that’s okay.
Once I transitioned into pediatrics at an all-children’s hospital, everything changed. I was finally where I was meant to be. I worked alongside an incredible team of nurses who became more like family. I found joy in the small moments: comforting scared parents, advocating for my patients, and building real bonds with children who had frequent or long-term hospital stays. Some of them would request me every time—and I’ll never forget those sweet connections. After just nine months, I was trained to be charge nurse, and I loved every second of it. I thrived in the role—helping my coworkers, managing the unit, and being a supportive ear for the families we cared for. I felt empowered. I felt like a leader. I even had the privilege of working closely with medical fellows who are now physicians—and funny enough, I still run into some of them at my current hospital. Full circle moments like that remind me how far I’ve come.
Another thing I’m so grateful for is the flexibility nursing has given me. Bedside nursing allowed me to travel to different countries, take time for myself, and recharge. And if you know me, you know I don’t mess around with my vacation time—approved or not, I’m going! (Shoutout to my coworkers who’ve always backed me up—y’all are the real MVPs.) And now, this year, I’m graduating with my Master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. On top of that, I was featured in Today’s Nurse Magazine for 2025—a dream come true and a true testament to how far nursing can take you when you follow your passion.
Nursing is an incredible career that opens doors you never even imagined. From bedside to leadership, from international travel to national recognition, it’s a path full of possibilities. So if you’re ever feeling stuck or unsure—don’t be afraid to walk away from something that doesn’t feel right. Sometimes God closes one door just to open another… and that new door might be everything you were looking for and more.