Student Story: Why I’m going back to school for my BSN

There are times in our lives when we feel like we’re not accomplishing what we set out to do, or that something is missing in our lives. But, I believe there is usually a moment when we discover our true calling. It happened to me last year.

Until 2016, I was living in Puerto Rico and working as a supervisor at one of the biggest financial institutions on the island. I had a good salary, incentives and fellow employees who teamed up to help our customers reach their financial goals. But my real goal was to work in the human resources department.

I have my bachelor’s degree in management and human resources and a double master’s degree in labor relations and industrial and organizational psychology. I applied every time that a position in HR was posted, but I received constant rejection because I lacked HR experience. I asked myself, “How will I gain experience if my own employer will not give me the opportunity?” I tried to find places to gain experience and I did not have any luck with it. I even went to interviews outside the company and was met with the same challenge.

After a few months, my life changed. My spouse got a promotion, but it was for a job in Illinois. After talking it over, we decided to make the move. I applied at different companies and landed a job at a financial institution, where I currently work. It’s a good job and I can’t complain. However, I knew it was not my true calling.

After I moved to Illinois, I began searching for universities where I could complete my PhD in clinical psychology because I thought that was my dream job. I began working towards my doctorate, but while I was getting straight A’s, it did not fulfill my expectations. I didn’t want to sit behind a desk for eight hours or more every day.

So, I sat down and thought about what I like to do and made a list:

1. Healthcare
2. Helping Others
3. Fast-Paced Environment
4. Flexible Schedule
5. Good Salary
6. Comfortable clothes (Yes…It’s important for me )

I believe that our experiences mold us and that we each have a true calling in our lives. I think that my true calling is nursing. Some people might ask, “Why the abrupt change?” Others have told me that I will experience great stress and grief as a nurse. I tell people that I love working in a fast-paced environment and that I believe that by caring for others, we may truly learn how to live our lives to the fullest.

There is a quote that I love from an unknown author that says:

“Nursing is not just an art, it has a heart. Nursing is not just a science, but it has a conscience.”

Being a nurse isn’t just about earning good grades – it’s about being who you are and being able to love and care for others when they are at their most vulnerable and weakest moments. Nursing is a career where I will truly live life and will learn from my patients and my colleagues. That’s why I’m finally pursuing my passion for helping others and going back to school for my BSN at Herzing University.