Why Nursing?
The one and only criteria I maintained when seeking work and potentially building a career for myself was that I needed to do something that had a positive impact and helped others in a direct way.
When I was younger, I dreamed of being a writer. In some ways, I have honored that dream by majoring in English with a concentration in creative non-fiction. Other than journaling religiously each morning, that is as far as I honoured that dream… until today!
After graduating from University in 2019 with a dual Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology, I landed a job at a non-profit in nyc and enrolled in an online masters program to teach adults English as a Second Language. At first, I found the coursework interesting, and I was able to find a comfortable work/study balance in my life. However, halfway through my second term, I quickly realized that teaching was not something I was super passionate about. So two weeks before the lockdown in New York City began, I dropped out of graduate school for the first time.
I say first time because a year later, after relocating from Manhattan’s Lower East Side to Brooklyn’s Crown Heights, I applied to and was accepted into a Clinical Masters of Social Work program. This time, it was not a lack of interest that derailed my studies, but a volatile relationship and a severe drinking problem that forced me to drop out of this LCSW program after only two weeks.
To say I felt like a failure in that moment is a vast understatement. But I knew I was incapable of prioritizing my studies. So when my relationship crumbled, I lost my job due to my drinking, and I moved back home, I had plenty of time to go back to the drawing board. Although I had a degree, I felt pigeonholed when it came to earning a salary I could comfortably support myself with in New York City.
The one and only criteria I maintained when seeking work and potentially building a career for myself was that I needed to do something that had a positive, direct impact. So after three months of coming up with potential ideas, I decided that it was time to go back to school. My first thought was “Third time’s the charm, right?!” I suppose we will see if that rings true in 2.5 years time!
When applying to 2nd Bachelor’s Degree Nursing programs I was intimidated. I blew up my undergrad GPA by smoking, drinking, and skipping classes. I was afraid that no respectable university would accept me because of my prior screw ups. Luckily, I got a reality check when applying to schools this past March.
After applying to 3 City Universities and NYU, I received acceptances from all three city universities. As of today, May 20th, 2022, I am still waiting on my decision letter (or email, lol) from NYU.
Expect a post about that decision!!!
I am beyond excited to follow in my aunt’s footsteps by being the second nurse in our immediate family and to have a direct, positive impact in peoples lives.
This blog is first and foremost a way for me to catalogue my nursing school journey, but it is also a way to honour the little girl inside who wanted to be a writer and share her truth with the world.
Furthermore, I hope my weekly updates and study notes and tips help other (prospective or current) nursing students out. Especially the ones starting a second or third career!
Cheers to making it this far! 🥂
xoxo - hatiče
