October 15, 2010 2:46AM
I had been sitting at my computer all night watching Hulu to pass the time. Texting my friend about how anxious I was to see the result. Each time the show I was watching paused for an ad I would rush to the tab that read “search.dca..ca.gov”, type my name in, and press enter.
“No Results matched your search criteria”
Back to Hulu. Another commercial, I’d check again. Nothing. As the night went on I became more anxious, frantically texting my friend who was at work, wondering if I had failed. Would I have to sit for boards again. What about my job? I can’t work at Starbucks forever, I thought.
“Did you check again?” my friend text at 2:45am. “ Not yet.” replied.
“GO CHECK!”
As I hit enter on my keyboard, I closed my eyes, praying that when I opened them, the prayer I had been prayer for over 3 years would be answered .
Howard, Pierre Monet Licence Number:****** Licence Type: REGISTERED NURSE
** Insert Ugly cry **
I remember it like it was yesterday. Ten years since I sat for boards and received my license. First thing I did was go to my local uniform store and buy a leopard print Cherokee scrub top. I couldn’t believe the I was a nurse. Nursing school was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It challenged me mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I was advised to change my major, told that I would be my managers ‘worst nightmare’, and challenged as to whether God had called me to be a nurse. I failed tests and classes, was held back an entire semester, and was denied access to my transcripts AFTER graduation. I pleaded with God, was angry with Him, and eventually surrendered to what he was teaching/preparing me for. Through all of the hurdles that I endured to become a nurse, I can say that it is one of the best decisions I ever made.
My first few years working bedside were challenging. I literally was afraid of everything, starting IV’s, foley’s, NG tubes. I didn’t want to mess up and hurt someone. I didn’t want to look like I didn’t know what I was doing. I had so many doubts and fears, I had no idea how I was gong to make it. As time went on, things got a little easier. I had found my groove. Now work was manageable. I was learning and becoming confident in what I was teaching. The most rewarding was watching patients get better as a result of my care. I finally felt comfortable saying “I’m the nurse!”
Fast forward to October 2020. I’m a Cherokee brand ambassador, wearing those same Cherokee scrubs, but now they feel different…I feel different. When I see new nurses with fear in their eyes, like I used to have, I can assure them that “It’s going to be ok.” I am now confident. I stand tall. I am the resource. I can be firm, yet compassionate with my patients. I can walk into a new travel assignment and float to different units seamlessly, because I know who I am, what I know and what I offer. I’m not ‘just a nurse’, I am THE nurse.
I appreciate this story so much because the right nurse, doctor, therapist (RT/OT/PT/SLT) can make or break a patient and family’s whole experience during a hospital stay. Thank you for sharing.