Concordia University Texas issued the following announcement on April 18.
I began this quest in 2006. Something within me told me that even though I loved theatre and all it involved, my world as a theatre education student was simply not complete. I was driving with my best friend, on the I-35 frontage road in San Marcos when I saw it: a billboard, calling nurses to work at a hospital. "Find Your Home, Here," it read. And, it hit me. What about nursing? Well, what about it? I hated the medical field, or at least I believed I did. My dad and stepmother were both in the radiology field and actively seemed miserable and stressed in their careers. Why would I ever want to put myself through that? But, the idea of nursing stuck, and wouldn't go away.
I eventually decided that maybe I would give it a chance. I would leave it up to fate. Give it my best effort. I moved back to my hometown, into my parent's home. I began my pre-requisite courses for the LVN program at Hill College in Hillsboro. With each class, my interest in the human body, healthcare and the business of taking care of others grew. I passed each course I was required to take and applied to the program. Out of 200 applicants, 30 made it in, and from those original 30, only a handful graduated. I was one of them. I considered it 'meant to be.'
My first job out of this program was at Mexia State Supported Living Center. It was here that my heart grew larger than I thought possible for a population that desperately needed people to care: people who were mental ill and intellectually developmentally disabled (IDD). I transferred to Austin State Supported Living Center and my passion for this population increased. I went from a home nurse to a clinic nurse, then to interim medical compliance, and eventually created my own position as the Special Events Nurse. I loved being an LVN for this group of patients, but eventually, that voice in the back of my mind said that it wasn't where I was meant to be. At the strong encouragement of a wonderful doctor, I found myself searching for schools to provide me with a BSN.
I had never heard of Concordia before. And truthfully, it did not appeal to me initially. I do not identify as Lutheran and had worries that this would hinder my learning there. But, after being accepted and beginning the pre-requisites, I learned very quickly that it did not. Through Concordia, I learned not only what was required in my studies, but more about myself and those around me. I met people from all different backgrounds and belief systems. I developed bonds with my instructors that were beyond what I could have imagined. Concordia became a second home to me. During my undergraduate degree, I was involved with the Student Nursing Association, Theatre Club and Student Government. It seemed I couldn't get enough of campus. In fact, when I graduated with my bachelor's, I went right back to school for my master's. Concordia offers an incredible 14-month program to obtain an MSN in either leadership, informatics or education. Focusing in education allows me to advance my career, and branch out into teaching opportunities. As I wrap up my master's program, I feel the need to reflect on what I have learned.
I will never know what my path has before me, and that is okay. Opportunities tend to present themselves at just the right moment.
I will always have a fondness for the psychiatric and IDD field, but may not always have the opportunity to combine them with my career path.
Being honest and open with your instructors is the best way to get through any program. Educators simply want to understand where you are at, and how they can help you succeed.
On that note, Nursing instructors ARE NOT out to get you. Whether you agree with their methods or not, their goal is truly to guide you towards a successful and fulfilling career.
It's ok to feel as if you have no idea what you are doing. You learn, when you reach out to your peers, no one else feels like they have it together either.
Imposter syndrome is real, and it hits constantly within a graduate program. Everything I did, I felt like I was faking it, even if it affected change and helped others, even if my instructors gave me praise on my work. It was a constant battle within to feel like I deserved to move forward. It still is. Because of this, I've learned, self affirmation helps. On my mirror in my room, I've written, "You are Worthy." I look at it daily as a reminder. I don't believe that feeling goes away, but it doesn't have to have power over my life. I am always learning. I am enough.
There is so much more to this program than the work that is seen. I have grown as a person, as a nurse and as an influence on others more than I could have imagined. As I move from this program and into my "not completely certain" future, I am grateful for my experience as a grad student, and understand that it is not the end of learning for me.
Original source: http://www.concordia.edu/blog/authors/ctx-student-speaks-on-nursing-program.html
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