As all of you probably know, I am a nurse and have been since 2006. When I started my higher educational endeavors back in 1998 (Yikes...high school was a long time ago!) I went to Indiana University with big dreams. I wanted to be an OB/GYN. I started working toward a biology degree with a chemistry minor. After 2 years of this, I got a job at a local hospital working at a Nurse Technician (which is essentially a nurse assistant) in the Mother/Baby and Pediatric Units. I loved it...and the more time I spent there the more I realized that my real passion was in nursing, not medicine. I loved the time I spent with the patients and I decided at that point that I didn't want to be a doctor afterall. I was already 3 years into my degree at this point, and I LOVED my biology classes, so I decided to finish it out and to start completing my nursing prerequisites as my electives so I would be ready for nursing school after I graduated with by BS in Biology. Following graduation, I debated between one of the "Accelerated" nursing programs that took you from a bachelor's degree to a nursing degree in 18 months, but they were CRAZY expensive and I would have to move somewhere on my own and pay for housing, etc. So I decided instead to move back in with the folks and attend the local community college to get an Associates Degree in Nursing. This was not full time for me (since I already had all the prereqs done) so I was still able work and have a bit of a life (finally!). So, in May of 2006 I graduated and starting working as a nurse at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana.
I loved being a nurse, and I still do, but from the moment I finished I knew that I would continue to further my education. I just wasn't sure when and what type of further nursing education I would choose to do. Throughout my nursing career I have considering becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, a Nurse Educator, etc....but as I my nursing career developed I found that my calling was as a nurse leader. This lead me to the University of Texas at Austin and the Master's program in Nursing Administration and Health Systems Management. I started in 2012, just after I got pregnant with Nora (timing, right!?), then took off a semester when she was born, and I finished up this May. Done!! Yay!!
During this time in school I got a Supervisor position in my NICU and I have no immediate plans to change jobs. I will keep my eyes out for something that suits me, but I love my job, my hospital, my coworkers, and I do not want to leave it just yet! Thank you to everyone that supported me through this crazy adventure...I am so glad to be finished!!
The UT graduation ceremony got rained out on Saturday, but luckily the Nursing ceremony was held indoors on Friday so Shawn, Mom, and Nora attended with me. We had a nice family gathering at the house that evening. It was great day! I will miss my Admin cohorts but wish them all great success and exciting adventures along their career journey!!
Nora was so happy to wear her new dress and she even let me put a "bow" in her hair!!!
She did great during the ceremony sitting with Abuela and Daddy!
My Admin Cohort...minus Johnathan! He wandered off before we could get the group picture!
Nora and Daddy bought mommy some beautiful flowers!
Family party...Bundt cakes!
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