Why I Chose Nursing Over My Passion

As 17 year old, I had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was a senior in high school and the flood of questions kept rolling in on about what my major would be, or what career field was I headed. I had no clue. I kind of just went through the motions.

One day, my mom took me to get my physical annual exam at my PCP’s office. Instead of seeing a doctor, I saw a nurse practitioner. My mom was SO excited that I was seeing a family nurse practitioner as she was a midwife herself. I, on the other, wasn’t sure what a family nurse practitioner was or did. I answered her questions and let her complete her exam. She was nice. I liked her. And then came the amazing part. She talked to me like an adult. She informed me what she was looking for during the exam. She asked if I had any questions. This was a different sort of provider visit that I ever experienced.

When we left the office, I asked what a family nurse practitioner was and how to get in to it because I wanted to be a family nurse practitioner too!

Know let me add some context here, I was a theater geek. I loved singing, dancing, and acting. I wanted to be a Rockette. All 5’2” of me. The plan was to start off as a Rockette in New York, audition for some roles in Broadway, sing at coffee houses to earn some extra cash, and then eventually make my way to Hollywood to the Big Screen. I wanted to be a famous triple threat of actress/singer/dancer. I begged my parents for singing lessons, which I received. I begged my parents to compete in pageants, which I did. I begged my parents to take modeling lesson, which I learned how to strike a pose. I was set. Being a performer is what I wanted to do and knew it was going to happen.

My parents not so much. Well my father was happy with whatever I chose to do. My mom had more sense. She kept telling me that I needed to find a stable job that paid my bills and supported my extra curriculars. She suggested nursing.

I took about an 8 year detour before I would start nursing school. Since nursing school, I have had many opportunities to perform. I joined a salsa dancing troupe, competed in a variety of talent shows, and starred in local music theatre productions. It’s not Hollywood or Broadway but, I get to do what I love while being able to pay my bills and live comfortably.

So, it is really how you view what’s important in your life and how much are you willing to fight for the things in your life. It’s good to be sensible. It’s also good to be a dreamer! If you’re able to find that combination of the two, then life is good! Shine bright, nurses!