I hated hospitals as a kid. I hated the Doctors, the dentists, the nurses ... anything to do with the medical field was not up my alley. I couldn't even handle the site of blood, or the thought of a needle coming at me. Somewhere along the lines of growing up that all changed. Maybe it was the constant in and out of hospitals I was doing with relatives, friends who had died from car accidents, or cancer or something else entirely depressing. Somewhere along the line I stopped being afraid of it all, and wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to be a part of helping people, of healing them, not just physically, but mentally as well. I wanted to walk the halls of the hospitals and see the patients getting better, surrounded by love. Unfortunately that also comes with the patients who aren't getting better, or the patients who don't have anyone with them. But knowing, when all is said and done and I am finally about to walk those halls, I can be there for these people and their families. I can see new life come, and old life go. I get to see the ups and downs of life and be a part of that.
I've been struggling for some time now to get into nursing school. My high school years were spent worrying more about my social status, the clothes I owned, the parties I went to... You never really listen to your parents when they tell you to buckle down and work hard because these 5 years are going to set you up in life. No, unfortunately I had to figure out the hard way, that maybe all those times your parents are sitting there nagging you, maybe, just maybe they had a point. I think about a year and a bit after graduating high school was when I finally decided that I wanted to become a nurse. I went online, with the encouragement of my mom and my grandma, and I applied at the local university. I had some classes I needed to take to get myself in the program and I thought that was that! In 4 years time, I am going to be a nurse! I couldn't have been more incorrect. 1-2 classes turned into 3-4, and a high school class here and there. By the way, in Canada, Nursing school is very competitive. So here I am, 3 years after deciding I wanted to be a nurse and I am finally (Finally!) getting my chance. Its not quite the chance I had envisioned for myself though, but I will take it in stride.
I've always lived in BC in the lower mainland. I loved Vancouver and all it has to offer. My friends, my family, my whole life is here. I've found myself lately wanting a change though, reinvent myself, make some new friends (I will always keep the current ones, never fear!) and just start over. I have this chance now, as I have been accepted into the LPN program in Alberta. 16 months of straight school and I have a diploma in nursing and a whole bunch of opportunities waiting at my feet! For any future nursing students who are getting discouraged about the wait, consider an LPN program. Not only will you get to start you career sooner, but its a good stepping stone. I will not stop at my diploma, no way, I plan on getting my Bachelors Degree while working as an LPN and gaining experience. There is lots of schools that offer entry into 2nd or 3rd year, some offer online distance bridging programs. My point is, don't let a daunting waitlist deter you from doing what you want to do. If you have to, take a few extra steps and make it work for you.
So here we have it, in a few months I am starting school. I am packing the few things I have and moving away from home for the first time. I am trading in my bustling city surrounded by beautiful mountains and oceans, for the cold, flat lands of Alberta. Am I nervous? Hell yes I am. But that is over-powered by the excitement for a new opportunity to learn, and to top it all off, I get to watch my niece grow up! So folks (who am I kidding, I am the only one reading this), there you have it. This blog will regale my next chapter and adventures in life. Stay tuned.
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