Dom's Declassified Nursing School Survival Guide: How Choosing a Career in Nursing Has Changed M

I believe that whatever you decide to do with your life, you should do out of love and do it well. As I have said in previous posts, I spent nearly 2 full years of college as an exercise science major and maintained a 4.0 while doing so. Even though I initially came to college registered as a Nursing major, it took for ONE dean to tell my orientation group that the program was the hardest in the entire state for me to say "Welp. NEVERMIND!!!"

Many people would look back and say "Dang Dom, you made a mistake." "You could've saved a lot of time just sticking with your first major" or my favorite "You're already half way done with Exercise Science, why not just finish that and be done with college?" They were wrong. I ended up in the right major, at the right time, to meet the RIGHT people, and gain the right insight of where my profession could take me. It was all a part of God's plan.

I do have to mention that (thankfully) my Dad came to visit me in Lafayette one weekend. As I was telling him about how well I was doing in my classes, he completely blew my mind.

He asked me "Is Exercise Science what you really want to do?" Now, by this point I had already begun shadowing an OT and putting in my 100+ hours with her for the semester, so I had better go ahead and finish, right!?? I answered, "Yes Dad, I wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't what I wanted to do (right?)"

Then he asked me, "If there was anything you could be majoring in that wasn't exercise science, what would it be?" I sat for a moment and said with no second doubt, "Nursing." When my Dad asked me (TWO YEARS LATER) why I left nursing to begin with and I told him it was going to be too hard for me to juggle everything I have going on in my life already, he looked and said to me that Exercise Science is just a bit "too easy" for me (not to knock the major b/c I loved it and I know everyone is different so what's hard for me may be easy to others and vice versa). He told me to stop taking short cuts just to finish school, and strive to do well in where my heart was..even if it meant not having a perfect 4.0 GPA and spending some extra time in college.

That was all it took for me to get my mind right and pursue my BSN. I literally went to Lee Hall and changed my major the very next day, praying to God I was making the right decision the entire way there. When I began my first semester as a nursing major, I was surprised at how easy my classes were. I made A's on EVERYTHING. When I finally got into the official nursing school program a year after cramming hours onto my schedule to play catch up, I just knew I was in for the absolute worst. I surprised myself. The lowest grade on my transcript was an 84.

I say this, not to say that nursing school is easy because IT IS NOT. Going from barely studying and making straight A's as an exercise science major, to studying DAY IN AND DAY OUT just to secure a C or better on a test that is formatted to stress you completely the hell out has been a physical, spiritual, and emotional ROLLERCOASTER. I have lost classmates along the way, and have gained some of the best friends I have ever had as well. I've become confident in myself and in my ability to save someone's actual LIFE. I've learned more than anything, that you should never look at your obstacles in life and say you can't do them, no matter how impossible it may seem. ALWAYS put up a fight and give 100% effort for what you want. Whether it be a good grade, a relationship, a new job, whatever your heart truly and honestly desires! Never let anyone or anything deter you from your ultimate goal.

I graduate next year, and I can honestly say that not only has my diligence made me a harder worker and a better student, but pursuing nursing has given me 1000000% security in knowing I want to save, change, and impact lives for the rest of my life. Nursing is such a great outlet to do those things, and I plan to use my career as an opportunity to be a light to others; both in-patients and those around the world (ya heard me, NurseDom blog coming in 2020 l o l) With the entrepreneurship skills that I have, my newly acquired steadfast work ethic and passion for helping others, I KNOW that I finally made the right career decision. Nothing will stop me from reaching my goals, and NOTHING should stop you all either.

I speak blessings on every last one of your lives, nursing major and non nursing majors. Entrepreneurs. Educators. Parents. Creatives...I pray you always remember WHY you have chosen your path in life, and stick by it through hell & high waters, the good and the ugly, because THAT IS WHAT YOU LOVE AND WHERE YOUR HEART AND SOUL IS INVESTED. Remember that you must plant yourself firmly in faith in order to blossom into your greatest potential self. You are never given more than you can handle, but you must believe you can actually handle it yourself. You can. You will. Be GREAT. Manifest your dreams.

#nurse #nursing #nursingschool #dedication #neversaynever #registerednurse