Like this:

Back when my mother was a new nurse, she was given the opportunity to wear a phenominally stylish white dress to work, sexy (kidding) white shoes, and this adorable white hat. Although I am extremely happy that I was blessed to graduate in a world where I can choose my own multi-colored scrubs every shift, I sometimes I wish I had that cute little hat. It was such an identifying factor on who was a nurse. Doctors were in white coats, volunteers looked like life-sized candy canes, and the nurses were in knee-length white dresses.  I think that white is an extremely poor choice in attire for a hospital or clinic setting (you don’t want to know what gets on your clothes every shift… maybe thats why all the scrub tops now-a-days are covered with patterns; distracting you from that smear of who-knows-what that has been on your sleeve for half your shift), it was still a pretty cool look.

I have graduated into the nursing world this year, at one of the worst times. The economy has forced the hospitals in my area to go on a hiring freeze, and many of the healthcare facilities have been forced to lay off hard-working employees just to make budget. I have been looking for, and trying to get a nursing job since April 2009. Unfortunately, I cannot get a job as a new graduate to gain experience, and the only jobs open are ones for experienced RNs. Tough luck.

So… drumroll please… I am moving to Florida! There is a hospital in Pensacola, FL where I am applying this week. I have been spending the last 2 weeks preparing my FL RN license transfer and I have finally submitted all my paperwork. I will know within the next 6 weeks when everything is finalized.

I have wanted to be an RN for so long, I can’t remember the age I finally decided it was what I wanted to do. Maybe around age 8? I have no idea. All I know was when my mom came home from working a night shift in the ICU at Mercy, she was telling us a story about a man who had to have his chest cracked open in the room, and I was hooked. I have heard work stories of my mom holding a man’s amputated foot in a plastic bag, crazy and hectic Code Blues, adrenaline-junkie RNs, drunks, suicides, those stories that make you want to cry and miracle survivals.

I am very excited for the day when I will be in the ICU, and can follow in my mother’s footsteps. I want to be able to come home to my kids, and tell them about how I saved a man’s life last night. I want to inspire someone to work in the medical field, because it is the most rewarding feeling… being there for someone when they are as low as they have ever been in their life. Giving hope and compassion. It is what I was born to do.

I am thrilled for this new chapter and journey in my life. I don’t know what Florida has in store for me, or where it will take my life… but I am eager to watch it all unravel, and take the most out of it as I can. I know I will have family and friends around me for support, so I am not scared to venture off on my own to grow.

Eyes closed and fingers crossed, I will step out into the world and blind them all…

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