Paying it Forward, As They Say

I mentioned before that I was interested in being a nurse. Well, way back in 2005 I believe it was, I decided to go back to college. My youngest was 3 and I was just ready to go. I had gotten married quite young and never pursued those dreams. Back then I wanted to go into Radio and Television Broadcasting. I was always told I had a very clear and strong speaking voice. My college speech teacher even told me this in speech class which was a HUGE compliment. I get nervous like everyone else, but I guess once I get up there I just go. I just do it and then take a deep breath. Anyway I went back to college thinking of becoming a Dental Hygienist. After taking Anatomy and Physiology I and II and then Microbiology, Chemistry, and all those other fun classes I realized that all the women, and men in my class were going into the nursing program. I contemplated it. I had always been interested in it. Dental Hygiene to me seemed like an *easier* goal but then I realized all the courses up to a certain point are the same. It's not really easier. So I decided to switch. I wanted to do nursing. I didn't know what kind of nursing. Well in 2007 right before finals I was just so sick I couldn't stand it. I missed my Algebra final because I was just diagnosed and quite frankly couldn't get out bed. I only missed the final and already had an A in the class so my teacher told me it was OK. I'd get the A. Yeah! I have been out of school since then. I want to go back.

On my first day of chemo a young beautiful nurse came up to me and started talking to me. She was a Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor!!! She assured me if I ever needed anything to talk to her. She told me she had lost all her hair, she related to how I was feeling. I could have talked to her all day. I felt a kindred spirit in her. I use that reference because I am currently reading Anne of Green Gables but that's a whole different conversation. haha Anyway I decided that day I wanted to give it back...or pay it forward if you will. I knew right then my calling was to be an oncology nurse. I wanted to give back that wonderful feeling of hope...of seeing a survivor well, surviving! So I have been contacting the local college of nursing. I plan on attending an open house on November 8th and though I can't get into class until Spring of 2010 I do have some prerequisites left to do. I need more Algebra (fun) and also some psychology. I am looking forward to it all. I didn't want to rush back to school right after Gabbi so I plan on taking these classes online if I can. Then by the time I do clinicals it will be 2010 so she'll be 3!! Yikes. I am ready though and by then I'll be more than ready.