Showing posts with label career change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career change. Show all posts
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Thoughts on career change
To those of you who are wanting to change careers, to willingly choose to leave an established career for something new, I can honestly say I know exactly where you're coming from. I had a great career going -- job stability, great pay, awesome benefits, pension that is probably among the best in Canada, fully paid vacation time. It really was the 'golden handcuffs' that kept me there longer than it should have.
Some/most of my extended family thought I was nuts for even thinking of leaving such a job. But yeah, "soul sucking" is the perfect expression for a job where you show up day after day, only the money, and eventual pension. Many colleagues were equally unhappy, and repeatedly told me to "just think of it as pensionable time". knew I had sooo much to give and was wasting my real potential in this established career. I wanted more out of a career than just looking at it as 'pensionable time'. I wanted to be doing something useful, where I could contribute something of value -- something valuable to others and of value to myself.
And yes, I totally appreciate that I had the privilege of being able to even think of switching careers. I fully recognize that many people would maybe love to change what they're doing, but have financial obligations that don't allow them to. In making the decision, I had the support of a loving spouse who has a good job, and typically, we mostly lived off one income and saved our money, which ultimately helped me leave the workforce for a few years. It was not a 'spur of the moment' decision. Far from it.
Honestly, making that decision to leave my job was THE hardest one of my life. Transition sucks -- it is a time that brought out all my insecurities and fears. But knowing I was going into nursing made it a bit easier...knowing that there are jobs and that I would be working. I just had to trust that it would all work out -- I was going to work hard and give it my all.
Once the decision was (finally!) made, there was no turning back. I was lucky enough to have a leave of absence from my work for 8 months. I was able to do my first year of nursing school, and my employed held my job. If for some reason, after one year, I thought it was the wrong decision, I had the option of going back.
When I did go back for a few months after first year of nursing school, that was when the decision to leave became crystal clear. After 8 months away, I was back at my desk for a few months to make some extra money before finally leaving. However, in that first week back, I looked at my work week, and realized that I was still going to be attending the SAME meetings, the same issues were being discussed, with seeming little or no progress. It was like a time warp had happened, where I had had all there interesting experiences in nursing school, and now was suddenly back to the work environment, and it was like I hadn't even been away. I had a feeling of relief the last day I walked of my first career, knowing it was really, truly over. That was the moment when I finally felt some relief about making the decision -- it was DONE -- and I could focus on moving forward.
Fast forward a few years -- I graduated magna cum laude, won an award for the student in my graduating class who, "consistently demonstrated exemplary professional deportment, consistent grades and superior clinical performance throughout the four years of the nursing program", passed the NCLEX and am now in the middle of orientation of my dream job -- in a busy emergency room, 10 minutes from my house. And I should add, I'm back to having a full pension and benefits!
Financially, I'll never re-coup what I lost in earnings over those four year of school. I make less now that I did before, but I do have those benefits health/pension benefits again. I'm working 12 hour days and days, nights, weekends...but I can honestly say, I now look forward to going to work. When I leave the hospital, I have a sense of satisfaction that I was able to do something good for people. Patients won't remember me or my name, and I don't care about that -- but I do know that some will remember that nice, red-headed nurse who helped them.
I have a feeling of inner peace when it comes to my work. I am proud to tell people who ask, that I'm a trauma nurse. I feel fortunate to be able to have skills that can help people when they're feeling at their most vulnerable. This is a career where the opportunities are endless -- research, teaching, mentoring, changing specialties, taking more courses, becoming a NP, clinic nursing. There is a niche for everyone in nursing, and one never feels stuck in one area.
Yes, I'm still a new nurse -- not yet frustrated and cynical and tired, like many I see. Yes, there are many frustrations in nursing, as elsewhere. I'm not wearing rose-coloured glasses and only seeing the positive. I'm well aware of negative aspects too -- of having too heavy a patient load, demanding/rude patients and families, feeling overwhelmed at times with work to be done, staffing issues, etc. However, in every shift, there are so many positive examples of patient interaction, that I'm able to focus more on that, instead of the negative. And my career path was so different than the vast majority of my colleagues -- I truly wanted to be here, and in some ways, sacrificed a lot to get here.
And I am so grateful to be here. I honestly love my job/career now. It was an incredibly hard decision, but overall, definitely worth it. That's my story.
Cheers,
Kate
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Change vs. Regret
Yes, this is very true. I didn't want to be nearing retirement age from my first career and always wondering what I could have done as a registered nurse, and regretting I didn't even try.
Mind you, the past few weeks of exhaustion and illness have also raised the thought of regretting leaving my first career, with no 4:45 am wake up times and no heavy lifting...but those thoughts were fleeing when I thought about the overall reality then vs the overall reality now. The career change regret thoughts involved mainly missing my paycheque and not having to wake up at crazy early hours.
The present reality is so much better is more ways that I can adequately explain. The present reality will be made even better, though, in six months, when I actually get paid for the work I do. It will be very nice to have a paycheque again. Lol.
Kate
Mind you, the past few weeks of exhaustion and illness have also raised the thought of regretting leaving my first career, with no 4:45 am wake up times and no heavy lifting...but those thoughts were fleeing when I thought about the overall reality then vs the overall reality now. The career change regret thoughts involved mainly missing my paycheque and not having to wake up at crazy early hours.
The present reality is so much better is more ways that I can adequately explain. The present reality will be made even better, though, in six months, when I actually get paid for the work I do. It will be very nice to have a paycheque again. Lol.
Kate
Thursday, April 17, 2014
A Day in the Life - Laurie (ER Nurse)
I find the video below extremely inspiring. The second-career ER nurse profiled here has an energy and interest in her chosen profession that is contagious.
I know I needed real-life role-model examples when I was trying to make that extremely difficult decision to leave my secure, well-paying, established career, and jump into the unknown, where I'd be starting from scratch again. I knew with every fibre of my being that I belonged in the medical field, but it was so scary to make a mid-life transition. That is why I found it so important to see examples of other people who had done it. And not only had they made the change, but were so clearly loving their new lives.
That is where I am currently at. I am so close to finishing, it is almost tangible. After all I've learned these past eight months, I feel exponentially more like a nurse. Eight more months to go, and I think I'll be ready to start braving the world of nursing on my own. I'll still have a mountain of stuff to learn, in fact I'll never stop learning in this career, but the learning curve in those first years will be the steepest ever. I cannot wait to start.
In the interim, enjoy the profile below. I look forward to the day I may be profiled in such a video. I've got a story to tell, and I'm doing my best right now to tell it. The message is simple: find your dreams and find a way to realize them...then take action. It doesn't have to be nursing, clearly. Find your personal passion and find a way to do it. The rewards of doing so are incredible.
Anyhow, I'm going off on a tangent now, but I just feel so passionate about encouraging others to do what they love. I had some awesome support along my path, and now I want to give that back to others.
Enjoy!!!
P.S. Thank you Johnson & Johnson for making this series of inspirational videos! There are many in this series, and I've enjoyed watching many of them. I saw my first one as I sat in my corporate office, the one where the pediatric nurse is singing a song with his little patient to help distract her from the needle procedure he's doing. I would sit there in my office with tears streaming down my face, wishing so hard that I could somehow be a nurse too. That was career-fulfilment and job satisfaction, in my books. To make a difference in someone's life is the ultimate satisfaction for me.
P.P.S. And I rocked the nursing theory class and got my A-.....wahoo, and whew....that was one of the toughest classes in this program, and its o-v-e-r!!!!!
I know I needed real-life role-model examples when I was trying to make that extremely difficult decision to leave my secure, well-paying, established career, and jump into the unknown, where I'd be starting from scratch again. I knew with every fibre of my being that I belonged in the medical field, but it was so scary to make a mid-life transition. That is why I found it so important to see examples of other people who had done it. And not only had they made the change, but were so clearly loving their new lives.
That is where I am currently at. I am so close to finishing, it is almost tangible. After all I've learned these past eight months, I feel exponentially more like a nurse. Eight more months to go, and I think I'll be ready to start braving the world of nursing on my own. I'll still have a mountain of stuff to learn, in fact I'll never stop learning in this career, but the learning curve in those first years will be the steepest ever. I cannot wait to start.
In the interim, enjoy the profile below. I look forward to the day I may be profiled in such a video. I've got a story to tell, and I'm doing my best right now to tell it. The message is simple: find your dreams and find a way to realize them...then take action. It doesn't have to be nursing, clearly. Find your personal passion and find a way to do it. The rewards of doing so are incredible.
Anyhow, I'm going off on a tangent now, but I just feel so passionate about encouraging others to do what they love. I had some awesome support along my path, and now I want to give that back to others.
Enjoy!!!
P.S. Thank you Johnson & Johnson for making this series of inspirational videos! There are many in this series, and I've enjoyed watching many of them. I saw my first one as I sat in my corporate office, the one where the pediatric nurse is singing a song with his little patient to help distract her from the needle procedure he's doing. I would sit there in my office with tears streaming down my face, wishing so hard that I could somehow be a nurse too. That was career-fulfilment and job satisfaction, in my books. To make a difference in someone's life is the ultimate satisfaction for me.
P.P.S. And I rocked the nursing theory class and got my A-.....wahoo, and whew....that was one of the toughest classes in this program, and its o-v-e-r!!!!!
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Yes, even though I am losing all hope in spring ever arriving this year, I can see then end of third year nursing school. We have just over a week left to go. That is truly surreal.
I was recently talking with my mom, and she way saying how she couldn't believe how quickly this program is flying by (and she thought I was off my rocker leaving my first career). I chose to do the regular 4 year BScN program (as opposed to the accelerated program) for several reasons, mostly because doing the extended program allowed me to be mostly part-time for the first two years. At the time I started, my youngest was in half-day kindergarten, so it allowed me to spend precious time with her, and to volunteer in the kids' school. That was a gift to me (and them!) beyond measure -- something that I'm so grateful to have been able to do, and something that I can never go back to as time only goes forward.
So what I started this adventure, I was faced with four solid years until I graduated. The days have been full, there have certainly been stressful times and other times when I had to study and couldn't join my family/friends on certain activities, but its not forever. And honestly, even though some days and weeks are very long, in hindsight, it has flown by.
We just have 25 full weeks of classes/shifts left, and then they'll send us out into the real world, to be real nurses! (gulp!!!). I think I've mentioned this before (if I haven't written it, I've certainly thought of writing it down - lol), is how easily I could have STILL found myself sitting in my office, dreaming about going to nursing to school.
Time really does go by quickly. Something that may seem eternal and daunting initially, can easily go by faster than people realize. I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to gather up my courage and make that career change, even if went against the grain and seemed illogical at my current stage in life and career. I would be devastated if I were to look back now and realize, "If only I'd started nursing school when I wanted to, I'd be almost done by now."
But instead, here I really am, just 7 school/shift days short of finishing third year. I've just landed a dream contract with a leading national nurses association, where I'll have the opportunity to beautifully bring my first career and my future career together in a way I didn't envisage possible earlier, and basically, truly living the life of my dreams.
Take steps towards meeting some of your dreams and passions. It is so worth the effort and the initial doubt (and terror!) I can attest that I'm closer than I've ever been before to living the most authentic life and being most my true self, than I've ever been before.
I've never been more content and at peace with myself and my life.
That is a gift beyond measure, and something that I'm most grateful for.
I was recently talking with my mom, and she way saying how she couldn't believe how quickly this program is flying by (and she thought I was off my rocker leaving my first career). I chose to do the regular 4 year BScN program (as opposed to the accelerated program) for several reasons, mostly because doing the extended program allowed me to be mostly part-time for the first two years. At the time I started, my youngest was in half-day kindergarten, so it allowed me to spend precious time with her, and to volunteer in the kids' school. That was a gift to me (and them!) beyond measure -- something that I'm so grateful to have been able to do, and something that I can never go back to as time only goes forward.
So what I started this adventure, I was faced with four solid years until I graduated. The days have been full, there have certainly been stressful times and other times when I had to study and couldn't join my family/friends on certain activities, but its not forever. And honestly, even though some days and weeks are very long, in hindsight, it has flown by.
We just have 25 full weeks of classes/shifts left, and then they'll send us out into the real world, to be real nurses! (gulp!!!). I think I've mentioned this before (if I haven't written it, I've certainly thought of writing it down - lol), is how easily I could have STILL found myself sitting in my office, dreaming about going to nursing to school.
Time really does go by quickly. Something that may seem eternal and daunting initially, can easily go by faster than people realize. I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to gather up my courage and make that career change, even if went against the grain and seemed illogical at my current stage in life and career. I would be devastated if I were to look back now and realize, "If only I'd started nursing school when I wanted to, I'd be almost done by now."
But instead, here I really am, just 7 school/shift days short of finishing third year. I've just landed a dream contract with a leading national nurses association, where I'll have the opportunity to beautifully bring my first career and my future career together in a way I didn't envisage possible earlier, and basically, truly living the life of my dreams.
Take steps towards meeting some of your dreams and passions. It is so worth the effort and the initial doubt (and terror!) I can attest that I'm closer than I've ever been before to living the most authentic life and being most my true self, than I've ever been before.
I've never been more content and at peace with myself and my life.
That is a gift beyond measure, and something that I'm most grateful for.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
L&D Clinical Rotation Starts Today!!!!!!!!!
Today will be my first shift in Labour & Delivery. At the same hospital where I gave birth to all my children, and the same hospital where I let nursing students examine me as part of their post-partum assessment skills.
Its the same hospital where I told the clinical instructor, that I so wished I could switch careers and go to nursing school. She didn't hesitate when encouraging me to do so. And here I am, today, at that very same nursing school, being the nursing student, and not the new mom.
I have so long dreamed of being a nurse, and for the past decade or so, its specifically been a L&D nurse I've dreamed of being.
Today, it feels like its come full-circle, and I get to start my training as a L&D nurse. Pediatrics still has an extremely strong grasp on me, and I know I need to work in that specialization, but I know I'll also love L&D with my whole heart too.
I'll need to find a way to combine the two areas. I'll work on that later.
Today, I'm going to Labour & Delivery, and I'm not having contractions!!! ;-)
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be living this dream.
Kate
Its the same hospital where I told the clinical instructor, that I so wished I could switch careers and go to nursing school. She didn't hesitate when encouraging me to do so. And here I am, today, at that very same nursing school, being the nursing student, and not the new mom.
I have so long dreamed of being a nurse, and for the past decade or so, its specifically been a L&D nurse I've dreamed of being.
Today, it feels like its come full-circle, and I get to start my training as a L&D nurse. Pediatrics still has an extremely strong grasp on me, and I know I need to work in that specialization, but I know I'll also love L&D with my whole heart too.
I'll need to find a way to combine the two areas. I'll work on that later.
Today, I'm going to Labour & Delivery, and I'm not having contractions!!! ;-)
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be living this dream.
Kate
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Sim Lab
We had our first real simulation lab experience yesterday, with a baby Sim named Emma.
She was breathing, had O2 sats, respirations, had a post-op club foot, and even cried. It was almost eerie how real she was, yet so obviously made from plastic.
In next week's lab we'll be video taped as we do our assessments and care, and then we get to watch it and analyze it. Oh yay. I can "hardly" wait to see that video...sigh...
I remember once in my first career when I was video taped, in a media course. In was a course in how to handle the media (like that's possible!). The trainers set up a fake scrum situation, and we were in the middle of a throng of reporters fielding questions.
I handled the media part way better than I expected -- in fact I thought I looked very professional and calm and in control -- which was the opposite of how I was feeling inside. So that was reassuring and has transposed to other situations in my career.
But, the one thing that stood out in that media training video was my need for a new hairstyle -- or simply a hairstyle! I remember calling my hubby and saying I was going to be later coming home that night, because I was stopping at the hairdressers for a haircut! It's funny the things one learns from video...sometimes totally unrelated to the topic at hand.
And I should add, then next time I had a training session with a video component, I made sure to put on my best power suit, take time with my hair and do good make up. And I looked great on that video (if I can say so myself!).
In next week's video, it'll be back to basics...no make up, scrubs and hair pulled back in a ponytail. I'll have to do extra well on my nursing skills to try and overlook how I actually look!
Life goes on. It'll be fine. And can I repeat once again, how much I love being in nursing school and launching a new career?!?!? :-)
She was breathing, had O2 sats, respirations, had a post-op club foot, and even cried. It was almost eerie how real she was, yet so obviously made from plastic.
In next week's lab we'll be video taped as we do our assessments and care, and then we get to watch it and analyze it. Oh yay. I can "hardly" wait to see that video...sigh...
I remember once in my first career when I was video taped, in a media course. In was a course in how to handle the media (like that's possible!). The trainers set up a fake scrum situation, and we were in the middle of a throng of reporters fielding questions.
I handled the media part way better than I expected -- in fact I thought I looked very professional and calm and in control -- which was the opposite of how I was feeling inside. So that was reassuring and has transposed to other situations in my career.
But, the one thing that stood out in that media training video was my need for a new hairstyle -- or simply a hairstyle! I remember calling my hubby and saying I was going to be later coming home that night, because I was stopping at the hairdressers for a haircut! It's funny the things one learns from video...sometimes totally unrelated to the topic at hand.
And I should add, then next time I had a training session with a video component, I made sure to put on my best power suit, take time with my hair and do good make up. And I looked great on that video (if I can say so myself!).
In next week's video, it'll be back to basics...no make up, scrubs and hair pulled back in a ponytail. I'll have to do extra well on my nursing skills to try and overlook how I actually look!
Life goes on. It'll be fine. And can I repeat once again, how much I love being in nursing school and launching a new career?!?!? :-)
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Less than a month of summer left
School re-starts in less than a month from now. That hardly seems possible. I have my fall schedule printed off and ready to go. Its a busy, full schedule. Very busy. Very full. Paediatrics and L&D rotations and classes and labs await.
The problem is, I can hardly fathom actually living that schedule right now. Right now, we're still in the middle of summer bliss -- no commitments, no real schedule, no morning rush, no lunches -- a whole bunch of nothing. The kids and I are still doing tons of stuff; this has been one of the busiest summers we've ever had, in terms of doing fun and interesting things. But the difference is that we're doing things on our schedule and on our terms. If one child sleeps in one morning, that's OK, we'll just start our activity a bit later. That's what I mean about having a 'schedule free' summer.
It's truly bliss. This summer and last summer, I am enjoying my kids like never before. Before I started nursing school, summers we're just another marathon we had to somehow get through, and they basically had to be planned by late March, when the day camps filled up. I now look back at those frenzied, stressed and over-tired days, and wonder how we did it all.
Add to that, my going to a job every day that involved me putting in time, rather than enjoying it and looking forward to a fulfilling day, and it just made the entire situation even less pleasant.
I want to stress that when I did work, I put in my best effort and did good work. I was not a slacker, and on the surface, nobody would have had any idea how miserable I truly was at that job. But from my perspective, it was simply a question of putting in the time, and getting through another day. One more day closer to eventual retirement, several decades from now. That was my perspective, and it was neither healthy nor living the life I wanted to live.
I really don't know how we did it, without the entire family unit falling apart. It was having a detrimental effect on the kids -- they were showing signs of fatigue and stress. My oldest was at the school's before-and-after school daycare, and was there from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm -- 10 hour days.
I'm not saying that such a lifestyle is not possible. I am fully aware that this is the reality for many, many families, and they don't have the option to leave it.
What makes me shake my head in wonder, is the fear of change that kept me back for so many years, and how it negatively affected the entire family. We had been talking about this career change for over a decade, planned for it, saved money for it -- basically had all the parameters in place, except one.
That one was me actually having the guts to make the change. Change is scary. High job security is a strong force.
Now, having made the change, I cannot understand why it took me so long to make the change. How I wish I'd done it so much sooner. Yet, I am so grateful that I did make the change. It would have been soooo easy to still be sitting in my office with the window, waiting to finish yet another work day...
Yes, I am so grateful to be where I am right now in my life -- even if it took longer to get here than I think it should have. At least I'm here now.
The problem is, I can hardly fathom actually living that schedule right now. Right now, we're still in the middle of summer bliss -- no commitments, no real schedule, no morning rush, no lunches -- a whole bunch of nothing. The kids and I are still doing tons of stuff; this has been one of the busiest summers we've ever had, in terms of doing fun and interesting things. But the difference is that we're doing things on our schedule and on our terms. If one child sleeps in one morning, that's OK, we'll just start our activity a bit later. That's what I mean about having a 'schedule free' summer.
It's truly bliss. This summer and last summer, I am enjoying my kids like never before. Before I started nursing school, summers we're just another marathon we had to somehow get through, and they basically had to be planned by late March, when the day camps filled up. I now look back at those frenzied, stressed and over-tired days, and wonder how we did it all.
Add to that, my going to a job every day that involved me putting in time, rather than enjoying it and looking forward to a fulfilling day, and it just made the entire situation even less pleasant.
I want to stress that when I did work, I put in my best effort and did good work. I was not a slacker, and on the surface, nobody would have had any idea how miserable I truly was at that job. But from my perspective, it was simply a question of putting in the time, and getting through another day. One more day closer to eventual retirement, several decades from now. That was my perspective, and it was neither healthy nor living the life I wanted to live.
I really don't know how we did it, without the entire family unit falling apart. It was having a detrimental effect on the kids -- they were showing signs of fatigue and stress. My oldest was at the school's before-and-after school daycare, and was there from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm -- 10 hour days.
I'm not saying that such a lifestyle is not possible. I am fully aware that this is the reality for many, many families, and they don't have the option to leave it.
What makes me shake my head in wonder, is the fear of change that kept me back for so many years, and how it negatively affected the entire family. We had been talking about this career change for over a decade, planned for it, saved money for it -- basically had all the parameters in place, except one.
That one was me actually having the guts to make the change. Change is scary. High job security is a strong force.
Now, having made the change, I cannot understand why it took me so long to make the change. How I wish I'd done it so much sooner. Yet, I am so grateful that I did make the change. It would have been soooo easy to still be sitting in my office with the window, waiting to finish yet another work day...
Yes, I am so grateful to be where I am right now in my life -- even if it took longer to get here than I think it should have. At least I'm here now.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Lessons on Living, from the Dying
I came across an article recently in a French magazine, that talked about a palliative care nurse, Bronnie Ware, who came up with her list of what the top five regrets were of dying people she was working with. I was going to translate the five regrets into English and post them, but today I found an English version of the article.
I believe there is so much truth to the five statements. Personally, the first regret puts my career change in perspective. That it truly was 'ok' to change careers even though I already had a great one going, and that ultimately, its 'ok' to be happy. It's truly OK. Really!
The five regrets are as follows:
1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
If I were to add one more to the list, I'd say, "I wish I'd been more grateful for what I already have." I mean, its great to keep dreaming, growing, learning and experiencing new things. That's very important. But at the same time, I think its also important to periodically look at just where you are in life, who is in your life, and what you already have, and just simply be grateful for it all. I think most people are more blessed than they realize.
The link to the full article is here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying
If you're interested, Ms. Ware wrote a book the topic:
I believe there is so much truth to the five statements. Personally, the first regret puts my career change in perspective. That it truly was 'ok' to change careers even though I already had a great one going, and that ultimately, its 'ok' to be happy. It's truly OK. Really!
The five regrets are as follows:
1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
If I were to add one more to the list, I'd say, "I wish I'd been more grateful for what I already have." I mean, its great to keep dreaming, growing, learning and experiencing new things. That's very important. But at the same time, I think its also important to periodically look at just where you are in life, who is in your life, and what you already have, and just simply be grateful for it all. I think most people are more blessed than they realize.
The link to the full article is here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying
If you're interested, Ms. Ware wrote a book the topic:
Monday, June 10, 2013
How time flies...
My goodness, I cannot believe its been so long since I last wrote on my (neglected!) blog. School ended and I've been so busy trying to catch up on all the non-school-related stuff in my life.
What I also realized, was that its now been a full year since I permanently left my first career. I wrote about my thoughts on this on my last day of work. Some bloggers know how to make a neat little link -- I just copy/paste the entire link... http://nurse2bmidcareerchange.blogspot.ca/2012/06/last-day-in-my-current-career.html
What a difference a year makes. For the better.
I've learned so much since I started nursing school. I've grown as a person, I've experienced emotions on clinical shifts like I've never before experienced at any time, during my first career. As a very emotional, feeling person, (not necessarily expressed outwardly, but very much alive on the inside!), I find it incredible that feeling and expressing emotion is part of my new career. Both the negative and the positive feelings.
It made me realize how completely devoid of feeling and caring my first career was. My colleagues were always great, fun and intelligent people to work with (and I expect that to stay the same in my nursing career), I got to travel to some neat places on my beloved red diplomatic passport (yes, I LOVED that perk!), but the actual work was so individual, merely process-focused and deadline-driven.
While there will be many parallels and many 'transferrable' skills that I'll bring to nursing from strategic communications, the core-focus, the PEOPLE, will be the biggest change. I don't have my head in the clouds and think that every interaction will be pleasant -- I've got enough life experience to know the realities of that -- even in my non-people focused foreign policy strat comms career, I still had to deal with a huge variety of people. But when the 'end product' is something like holding a newborn, healthy baby in my arms, or watching a tiny baby grow and thrive in the NICU and eventually leave in its parents arms -- that's satisfaction.
I just never got that same thrill, joy or job-satisfaction when I saw my press release/backgrounder issued and it made the lead story on the national news, or press conference go really well. It felt good, yes, like a job well-done, but empty. I just wanted to do medical stuff and be a nurse...
Life is good.
What I also realized, was that its now been a full year since I permanently left my first career. I wrote about my thoughts on this on my last day of work. Some bloggers know how to make a neat little link -- I just copy/paste the entire link... http://nurse2bmidcareerchange.blogspot.ca/2012/06/last-day-in-my-current-career.html
What a difference a year makes. For the better.
I've learned so much since I started nursing school. I've grown as a person, I've experienced emotions on clinical shifts like I've never before experienced at any time, during my first career. As a very emotional, feeling person, (not necessarily expressed outwardly, but very much alive on the inside!), I find it incredible that feeling and expressing emotion is part of my new career. Both the negative and the positive feelings.
It made me realize how completely devoid of feeling and caring my first career was. My colleagues were always great, fun and intelligent people to work with (and I expect that to stay the same in my nursing career), I got to travel to some neat places on my beloved red diplomatic passport (yes, I LOVED that perk!), but the actual work was so individual, merely process-focused and deadline-driven.
While there will be many parallels and many 'transferrable' skills that I'll bring to nursing from strategic communications, the core-focus, the PEOPLE, will be the biggest change. I don't have my head in the clouds and think that every interaction will be pleasant -- I've got enough life experience to know the realities of that -- even in my non-people focused foreign policy strat comms career, I still had to deal with a huge variety of people. But when the 'end product' is something like holding a newborn, healthy baby in my arms, or watching a tiny baby grow and thrive in the NICU and eventually leave in its parents arms -- that's satisfaction.
I just never got that same thrill, joy or job-satisfaction when I saw my press release/backgrounder issued and it made the lead story on the national news, or press conference go really well. It felt good, yes, like a job well-done, but empty. I just wanted to do medical stuff and be a nurse...
Life is good.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Freedom is a (GREAT) Feeling!
Well, its done! I'm officially "half" a nurse. Every class, every clinical shift, every care plan from here on it, will be on the latter half towards the finish line. It's as if these past two years have been 'climbing' to the peak, and the next two years, will be sliding down to the finish line.
It feels great to be half-way done.
I truly cannot believe how quickly these two years have flown by. And what's a bit scary to think about too, is how quickly two years would have also flown by had I still been thinking and agonizing over my decision to quit my job in my first career, and start nursing school. I could so easily have found myself still sitting in my chair, in my little office, wishing I had the nerve to start nursing school and dreaming about being a nurse.
Well, guess what? I did it - I made the decision and haven't looked back. One of the best decisions of my life, and without a doubt, THE most difficult.
Now to relax a bit, start to tackle my huge list of projects around the home that need to be done by September, get myself back into shape and catch up on having some fun times without school hanging over my head.
Today, I am an 'rn'...not an RN, but an 'rn' (lower case). This time last year, when I finished first year, my son declared that I was a "lower case r", this year I've earned the "lower case n". Next year I'll be working on getting a capital R...
Future Nurse Kate
"rn"
It feels great to be half-way done.
I truly cannot believe how quickly these two years have flown by. And what's a bit scary to think about too, is how quickly two years would have also flown by had I still been thinking and agonizing over my decision to quit my job in my first career, and start nursing school. I could so easily have found myself still sitting in my chair, in my little office, wishing I had the nerve to start nursing school and dreaming about being a nurse.
Well, guess what? I did it - I made the decision and haven't looked back. One of the best decisions of my life, and without a doubt, THE most difficult.
Now to relax a bit, start to tackle my huge list of projects around the home that need to be done by September, get myself back into shape and catch up on having some fun times without school hanging over my head.
Today, I am an 'rn'...not an RN, but an 'rn' (lower case). This time last year, when I finished first year, my son declared that I was a "lower case r", this year I've earned the "lower case n". Next year I'll be working on getting a capital R...
Future Nurse Kate
"rn"
Monday, February 25, 2013
First Official Clinical Feedback
After three semesters of nursing school, the fourth semester FINALLY really feels like nursing school, because we FINALLY started our clinical rotations.
We finished our public health rotation, and are starting our LTC placements.
It was a great experience doing public health, and actually stepping out into the world viewed in the 'nurse' role.
I got my written feedback from my first clinical instructor, and the words actually brought tears to my eyes. Those beautiful words were like a validation that despite all the years of wondering if should make this career change, and confronting all the reasons why I shouldn't change careers (there were many!), it was ultimately the right choice.
I know its been the right decision, simply based on how my family has changed for the better in the past almost two years. We are all less stressed, we have more time to spend together, everyone feels more relaxed and is able to enjoy the days/weeks/months, rather than simply get through them. It is a real gift, a real blessing, to be able to enjoy the fleeting time the kids are small.
So all that to say, is that I knew a long time ago that this was the right decision to make, but my instructor's words underlined that decision as being the right one. My decision was validated by a medical professional, who will be my colleague in four short semesters.
We had to hand in a critical reflection of our public health rotation. Her comments on this piece of writing were:
We finished our public health rotation, and are starting our LTC placements.
It was a great experience doing public health, and actually stepping out into the world viewed in the 'nurse' role.
I got my written feedback from my first clinical instructor, and the words actually brought tears to my eyes. Those beautiful words were like a validation that despite all the years of wondering if should make this career change, and confronting all the reasons why I shouldn't change careers (there were many!), it was ultimately the right choice.
I know its been the right decision, simply based on how my family has changed for the better in the past almost two years. We are all less stressed, we have more time to spend together, everyone feels more relaxed and is able to enjoy the days/weeks/months, rather than simply get through them. It is a real gift, a real blessing, to be able to enjoy the fleeting time the kids are small.
So all that to say, is that I knew a long time ago that this was the right decision to make, but my instructor's words underlined that decision as being the right one. My decision was validated by a medical professional, who will be my colleague in four short semesters.
We had to hand in a critical reflection of our public health rotation. Her comments on this piece of writing were:
"Awesome reflection. Very insightful and thoroughly thought out with an impressive learning plan for future growth and development. Your quest for excellence in your nursing practice is inspiring and engaging for me. You will be an asset to the profession. I look forward to being your colleague some day."Thank you.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Inspired Words for Today
Even though I am loving being in nursing school and thoroughly enjoying all the gifts and experiences that making this career-shift have brought me, I seem to struggle with getting through January. This same phenomenon happened last year, too.
I don't know if it is the post-Christmas build-up let-down (if that makes any sense!) or simply the dark, freezing days. It has been one of those weeks that happen in Canada -- where the temperatures plunge so cold, that it is truly impossible for average people like me to enjoy the outdoors.
It is a week of being too cold to take the family skiing (like we do weekly), tobogganing, the snow is too crumbly to build anything with it, the kids are kept indoors every school recess because of the frostbite they'd get in a couple minutes. I dread the thought of even having to go outside, as I know my nose and lungs will feel frozen in seconds. Maybe this is the so-called "cabin fever" phenomenon, where people have simply been cooped up inside for too long...
Before anyone reads too much into this complaint, I must say this is not a clinical issue -- I just find it a wee bit harder to motivate myself to keep as active, energetic and eating well as I do the rest of the year. It is frustrating to me to not have my usual energy and motivation levels, even if these moments are relatively brief.
However, the extreme deep-freeze of last week is over, and the days are getting noticeably less dark. This is all good! Apparently I don't do well in extremely cold, dark climates. Give me palm trees and a beach any day....
All of that intro to say, that when I am feeling in a bit of a rut, I turn to several blogs I've discovered, and read the archived posts. One of my favourite inspirational blogs is called "Smile With Your Heart", written by a Canadian nurse and fitness/adventure lover, Jenn Thiel. (http://smilewithyourheart.com)
Today, as I was just wrapping up my "fun" computer time, before I turn it to school-related work, I read the following sentences.
"Combine your passions. Create your dream life. Who’s stopping you? If anyone, it’s only yourself. Toss that little voice out the window and keep on keepin’ on. Keep doing what you love. You’ll discover that it really is so much more possible than you thought." (http://smilewithyourheart.com/2011/08/17/day-38-have-a-balanced-day/)
Those are the words I'm taking to heart today. I'm off now to go for a run, as I contemplate with gratitude all the possibilities, people, opportunities, experiences and gifts I've been given in my life, and open my heart, mind and soul with further gratitude to any and all future amazing experiences.
I don't know if it is the post-Christmas build-up let-down (if that makes any sense!) or simply the dark, freezing days. It has been one of those weeks that happen in Canada -- where the temperatures plunge so cold, that it is truly impossible for average people like me to enjoy the outdoors.
It is a week of being too cold to take the family skiing (like we do weekly), tobogganing, the snow is too crumbly to build anything with it, the kids are kept indoors every school recess because of the frostbite they'd get in a couple minutes. I dread the thought of even having to go outside, as I know my nose and lungs will feel frozen in seconds. Maybe this is the so-called "cabin fever" phenomenon, where people have simply been cooped up inside for too long...
Before anyone reads too much into this complaint, I must say this is not a clinical issue -- I just find it a wee bit harder to motivate myself to keep as active, energetic and eating well as I do the rest of the year. It is frustrating to me to not have my usual energy and motivation levels, even if these moments are relatively brief.
However, the extreme deep-freeze of last week is over, and the days are getting noticeably less dark. This is all good! Apparently I don't do well in extremely cold, dark climates. Give me palm trees and a beach any day....
All of that intro to say, that when I am feeling in a bit of a rut, I turn to several blogs I've discovered, and read the archived posts. One of my favourite inspirational blogs is called "Smile With Your Heart", written by a Canadian nurse and fitness/adventure lover, Jenn Thiel. (http://smilewithyourheart.com)
Today, as I was just wrapping up my "fun" computer time, before I turn it to school-related work, I read the following sentences.
"Combine your passions. Create your dream life. Who’s stopping you? If anyone, it’s only yourself. Toss that little voice out the window and keep on keepin’ on. Keep doing what you love. You’ll discover that it really is so much more possible than you thought." (http://smilewithyourheart.com/2011/08/17/day-38-have-a-balanced-day/)
Those are the words I'm taking to heart today. I'm off now to go for a run, as I contemplate with gratitude all the possibilities, people, opportunities, experiences and gifts I've been given in my life, and open my heart, mind and soul with further gratitude to any and all future amazing experiences.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Busy days!
I knew this term would be much busier than previous terms, but I hadn't realized just how much busier it would be. Busy, but very interesting!
It is a different kind of busy compared to the first three terms. For those terms, it was busy as in so much time was spent staring at textbooks, memorizing minute details of physiology, anatomy and microbiology.
This term seems to be more of a 'general concepts' type of approach to learning. There still will be details to memorize for exams -- we'll never get fully away from that! - but the lectures deal with an increased emphasis on the bigger picture.
In our last 'Intro to Nursing Science' class, for example, we discussed the Canadian health care system, as it relates to government funding, policy, division of resources, priorities of funding and federal vs. provincial government roles in funding and managing the system. I think it is very important to know how the system works, where we as nurses fit into that system, and where we can and should have some influence to better it.
For myself, I've spent enough years working in the government arena, that I seem to be quite 'allergic' to anything remotely political in nature. I think I'll be quite happy simply being a 'worker bee' in the health care system, and leave the policy change meetings and process to others...but then again, having such a deep knowledge and significant experience in how the machinery of government system works, who knows where I'll end up.... For the time being, maternal health/L&D, paeds, ICU or Emerg are my priorities, and NOT sitting in government meetings!!! Been there, done that.
Getting back to the busy current school term, the clinical placements all require some type of follow-up documentation piece to be written, which I didn't realize before starting them, would be part of the process. And we are not even talking about 'care plans' yet, as we haven't started our long-term care rotation...I am certain those will be added to the mix soon enough! Lots of writing to do -- good thing I love writing (even if its not creative writing we're doing at school -- its still writing!)
Today I will be continuing my Public Health placement by starting my school nurse rotation. I will have the priviledge of being part of a kindergarten class for a few weeks, and doing 'well child' health assessments. I've very excited to be going to today's placement. I love being with little kids, and did a lot of volunteering in my youngest child's kindergarten class last year -- I have a good idea of what we're getting into today! It will be busy!!! I also have to finish up my public information/outreach placement with the blood pressure clinic in a local shopping mall in the coming days.
Busy few days ahead! I'm so lovin' this experience!!!
Have I mentioned lately how grateful and totally contented I am, to be in nursing school and undertaking a career change??? It's probably been a week or two since I last mentioned that.
If anyone is even remotely dreaming of making a career change, and you have a good idea of where you'd want to change it to, all I can say is 'go for it'. Making that decision to change career was, I think, the hardest decision of my life. But once it was made, and I was on the new path, it was like a weight lifted from my whole body, and even though there have been stressful times and exam periods, overall, it has truly been amazing. I'm so much happier, content, my outlook is brighter, I'm having more fun with my family...I simply feel like I'm truly living my life now, and not just getting through each day.
It is an amazing feeling to be doing something you truly love.
Try it for yourself, and find out exactly what I mean.
It is a different kind of busy compared to the first three terms. For those terms, it was busy as in so much time was spent staring at textbooks, memorizing minute details of physiology, anatomy and microbiology.
This term seems to be more of a 'general concepts' type of approach to learning. There still will be details to memorize for exams -- we'll never get fully away from that! - but the lectures deal with an increased emphasis on the bigger picture.
In our last 'Intro to Nursing Science' class, for example, we discussed the Canadian health care system, as it relates to government funding, policy, division of resources, priorities of funding and federal vs. provincial government roles in funding and managing the system. I think it is very important to know how the system works, where we as nurses fit into that system, and where we can and should have some influence to better it.
For myself, I've spent enough years working in the government arena, that I seem to be quite 'allergic' to anything remotely political in nature. I think I'll be quite happy simply being a 'worker bee' in the health care system, and leave the policy change meetings and process to others...but then again, having such a deep knowledge and significant experience in how the machinery of government system works, who knows where I'll end up.... For the time being, maternal health/L&D, paeds, ICU or Emerg are my priorities, and NOT sitting in government meetings!!! Been there, done that.
Getting back to the busy current school term, the clinical placements all require some type of follow-up documentation piece to be written, which I didn't realize before starting them, would be part of the process. And we are not even talking about 'care plans' yet, as we haven't started our long-term care rotation...I am certain those will be added to the mix soon enough! Lots of writing to do -- good thing I love writing (even if its not creative writing we're doing at school -- its still writing!)
Today I will be continuing my Public Health placement by starting my school nurse rotation. I will have the priviledge of being part of a kindergarten class for a few weeks, and doing 'well child' health assessments. I've very excited to be going to today's placement. I love being with little kids, and did a lot of volunteering in my youngest child's kindergarten class last year -- I have a good idea of what we're getting into today! It will be busy!!! I also have to finish up my public information/outreach placement with the blood pressure clinic in a local shopping mall in the coming days.
Busy few days ahead! I'm so lovin' this experience!!!
Have I mentioned lately how grateful and totally contented I am, to be in nursing school and undertaking a career change??? It's probably been a week or two since I last mentioned that.
If anyone is even remotely dreaming of making a career change, and you have a good idea of where you'd want to change it to, all I can say is 'go for it'. Making that decision to change career was, I think, the hardest decision of my life. But once it was made, and I was on the new path, it was like a weight lifted from my whole body, and even though there have been stressful times and exam periods, overall, it has truly been amazing. I'm so much happier, content, my outlook is brighter, I'm having more fun with my family...I simply feel like I'm truly living my life now, and not just getting through each day.
It is an amazing feeling to be doing something you truly love.
Try it for yourself, and find out exactly what I mean.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
3 terms done, 5 more to go!
I guess that makes me 37.5% RN! Getting there, slowly but surely!
Final exams finished last week. Am pleased to say I survived. Not so sure I thrived this time, but I definitely survived.
Two exams on one day, one right after another, is brutal. Studying for two exams for the same day is also brutal. I hope that never happens again. But it's over, and as I like to say, "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger!" -- I guess I am that much stronger for having had that experience.
Just before my last exam on Thursday afternoon, I guess the stress level of everything going on that week was finally getting to me (studying stress, I got sick for the first time all term, the kids were getting sick, school was cancelled one day due to bad weather, raging hormones...), and I was briefly, ever so briefly, regretting my career-change decision.
How easy it would have been to have been sitting in my nice office all week, enjoying my wonderful paycheque, and not studying for or stressing about anything school-related. I texted a couple friends who I turn to often, with these thoughts. My one friend, who is already a RPN, wrote back with the best possible words I could have read. She said, "It'll pass the first day of hospital clinical when you touch someone's life forever...or when someone touches yours." So true.
I knew that feeling was temporary and fleeting, basically just during that exam week, and as soon as the exams were over, I was again beyond thrilled and grateful to be exactly where I am, in nursing school!!! I just thought that answer was so beautifully written and it's so true -- that basically sums up my motivation and thinking to make this career change into a 'helping' profession.
Source: http://sweat-sparkles.tumblr.com/
I'm not naive and am very realistic- I'm not expecting to become Florence Nightengale, and I know full well there are many stresses, issues and conflicts in nursing- just like in any job/career. Probably even more-so than in my first career...or at the very least, different stressors. However, nursing also gives the opportunity to touch someone's life, or have mine touched by someone else, in a way that my previous career simply could not. And to me, that makes all the difference in the world. I cannot fully express how grateful I am to have had the courage and the support from my dearest husband, to have made this change.
While driving home from the last final, I was calculating in my head how many more final exams I need to do until I'm finished (Have I mentioned I like countdowns!?!?) I have 24 more courses to finish, but I have no idea how the clinical courses will be marked, tested and evaluated. I don't know if there will be a written final exam in those courses, or if we're just marked on our work performance and preparation.
So 24 more final exams await me, at the most. Then there's also the "detail" of the licensing exam, the CRNE, so I guess that technically makes 25 more exams until RN, at the most. Somehow, thinking in concrete terms like that makes it seems more real and do-able. I also love the thought that we're almost half way done! And clinicals finally start next month - that should bring a whole new dimension of experiences to write about on my blog!!!
I've been in a vague sense of fog since finals finished on Thursday evening, but am now fully waking up and getting into Christmas prep mode. My cards are going to be super-late this year, and my poor sponsor kids in Brazil and El Salvador....well....they'll probably get their Christmas packages in March or April...nothing like spreading the Christmas spirit out over the year, eh?
Final exams finished last week. Am pleased to say I survived. Not so sure I thrived this time, but I definitely survived.
Two exams on one day, one right after another, is brutal. Studying for two exams for the same day is also brutal. I hope that never happens again. But it's over, and as I like to say, "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger!" -- I guess I am that much stronger for having had that experience.
Just before my last exam on Thursday afternoon, I guess the stress level of everything going on that week was finally getting to me (studying stress, I got sick for the first time all term, the kids were getting sick, school was cancelled one day due to bad weather, raging hormones...), and I was briefly, ever so briefly, regretting my career-change decision.
How easy it would have been to have been sitting in my nice office all week, enjoying my wonderful paycheque, and not studying for or stressing about anything school-related. I texted a couple friends who I turn to often, with these thoughts. My one friend, who is already a RPN, wrote back with the best possible words I could have read. She said, "It'll pass the first day of hospital clinical when you touch someone's life forever...or when someone touches yours." So true.
I knew that feeling was temporary and fleeting, basically just during that exam week, and as soon as the exams were over, I was again beyond thrilled and grateful to be exactly where I am, in nursing school!!! I just thought that answer was so beautifully written and it's so true -- that basically sums up my motivation and thinking to make this career change into a 'helping' profession.
Source: http://sweat-sparkles.tumblr.com/
I'm not naive and am very realistic- I'm not expecting to become Florence Nightengale, and I know full well there are many stresses, issues and conflicts in nursing- just like in any job/career. Probably even more-so than in my first career...or at the very least, different stressors. However, nursing also gives the opportunity to touch someone's life, or have mine touched by someone else, in a way that my previous career simply could not. And to me, that makes all the difference in the world. I cannot fully express how grateful I am to have had the courage and the support from my dearest husband, to have made this change.
While driving home from the last final, I was calculating in my head how many more final exams I need to do until I'm finished (Have I mentioned I like countdowns!?!?) I have 24 more courses to finish, but I have no idea how the clinical courses will be marked, tested and evaluated. I don't know if there will be a written final exam in those courses, or if we're just marked on our work performance and preparation.
So 24 more final exams await me, at the most. Then there's also the "detail" of the licensing exam, the CRNE, so I guess that technically makes 25 more exams until RN, at the most. Somehow, thinking in concrete terms like that makes it seems more real and do-able. I also love the thought that we're almost half way done! And clinicals finally start next month - that should bring a whole new dimension of experiences to write about on my blog!!!
I've been in a vague sense of fog since finals finished on Thursday evening, but am now fully waking up and getting into Christmas prep mode. My cards are going to be super-late this year, and my poor sponsor kids in Brazil and El Salvador....well....they'll probably get their Christmas packages in March or April...nothing like spreading the Christmas spirit out over the year, eh?
Thursday, August 23, 2012
A different perspective on "having it all"
The scope of my blog is evolving. I am evolving. Everyone is (hopefully) evolving in at least some small way. The primary focus remains on career change to nursing (second year starts up in a few short weeks!). But changing careers, choosing to change careers to a completely new field, does not happen in a vacuum.
There are so many other factors involved in making the decision to leave a stable, successful career. There are so many considerations to think about, so many scenarios to imagine (good and scary!), and so many people who could be affected by such a change. A change of this magnitude most certainly does not happen in a vacuum!
And this is why I need to branch out in my writing, to include these other considerations. I have recently been reading several blogs I find to be very inspirational, for different reasons. Hands Free Mama focuses on the importance of being present and not distracted by our BlackBerry when being a parent. Smile With Your Heart (I hope the author starts writing again soon!!!), is very inspirational about healthy living, fitness, and community involvement. Plus there is the bonus factor that the author is a nurse, and it shows me all the various volunteer and travel opportunities nursing provides. I am energized, motivated and simply feel better when I read these blogs. (Links to both are in my blog's sidebar, and I hope to add more in the future.)
That is why I realized I need to evolve my blog, and include more positive, encouraging messages in my writing too.
Ever since I became a mom, work/life balance has been at the forefront of my mind. I think being a nurse will definitely help improve this quest to gain balance, particularly if I end up working part-time (and picking up the odd extra shifts).
However, the mythical work-life balance dilemma is very much a reality in our society. And I am certain it will continue to be a significant factor in our life, even with the career change. As the children get older, their needs change and our roles adapt to their changing needs. But the limited amount of time we have together does not change.
The article I've chosen to highlight, represents a completely different perspective about priorities and what is truly 'important' in life.
The author summed up this perspective beautifully, in the following sentence:
I hope you enjoy the article, and thinking about a different spin on what it means to have it all.
It made me realize I truly 'have it all', a million times over. I have more than enough. I have so much I need to reach out and share with others.
And I am, and always have been, regardless of my situation and station in life, extremely grateful.
Future Nurse Kate
***************************************************************************
There are so many other factors involved in making the decision to leave a stable, successful career. There are so many considerations to think about, so many scenarios to imagine (good and scary!), and so many people who could be affected by such a change. A change of this magnitude most certainly does not happen in a vacuum!
And this is why I need to branch out in my writing, to include these other considerations. I have recently been reading several blogs I find to be very inspirational, for different reasons. Hands Free Mama focuses on the importance of being present and not distracted by our BlackBerry when being a parent. Smile With Your Heart (I hope the author starts writing again soon!!!), is very inspirational about healthy living, fitness, and community involvement. Plus there is the bonus factor that the author is a nurse, and it shows me all the various volunteer and travel opportunities nursing provides. I am energized, motivated and simply feel better when I read these blogs. (Links to both are in my blog's sidebar, and I hope to add more in the future.)
That is why I realized I need to evolve my blog, and include more positive, encouraging messages in my writing too.
Ever since I became a mom, work/life balance has been at the forefront of my mind. I think being a nurse will definitely help improve this quest to gain balance, particularly if I end up working part-time (and picking up the odd extra shifts).
However, the mythical work-life balance dilemma is very much a reality in our society. And I am certain it will continue to be a significant factor in our life, even with the career change. As the children get older, their needs change and our roles adapt to their changing needs. But the limited amount of time we have together does not change.
The article I've chosen to highlight, represents a completely different perspective about priorities and what is truly 'important' in life.
The author summed up this perspective beautifully, in the following sentence:
"We are chasing the wrong things, asking ourselves the wrong questions. It is not, "Can we have it all?" -- with "all" being some kind of undefined marker that shall forever be moved upwards out of reach just a little bit with each new blessing. We should ask instead, "Do we have enough?"
I hope you enjoy the article, and thinking about a different spin on what it means to have it all.
It made me realize I truly 'have it all', a million times over. I have more than enough. I have so much I need to reach out and share with others.
And I am, and always have been, regardless of my situation and station in life, extremely grateful.
Future Nurse Kate
***************************************************************************
What My Son's Disabilities Taught Me About 'Having It All'
Because of her child's problems, the author will never have a tidy, peaceful life. But none of this keeps her from being happy -- as long as she asks herself the right questions.
The author on a walk with her son (Photo by Karl H. Jacoby)
A debate on career and family See full coverage
As someone in her 40s, unequivocally in middle age, I find myself and my friends in that stage of life that seems to auger constant assessment -- am I happy? Am I doing the right thing with my life?
Evidenced by the number of times Anne-Marie Slaughter's Atlantic piece "Why Women Still Can't Have It All" was posted on Facebook, it served as a cri de coeur of the collective unconscious of those of us swimming in the Gen X/Baby Boomer estuary, last stop before becoming truly elderly. (It's apparently also the most-read article in the magazine's 155-year history.) Slaughter rightly questions why having a family complicates the career ladder for women in a way that it does not for men. But the hidden heart of the article, I believe, is its hinting at that unspoken yearning for that perfect life that has been promised to us by ... someone? Ads? TV? Ms. Magazine? Those ATHLETA catalogs?
Let me compare and contrast that with a typical incident that happened just last week in my own 40-something working mother life. My husband and I were sitting in the office of a neuropsychologist who had just run an assessment on our 12-year-old son who has a variety of disabilities and medical problems.
I nodded.
"That means 99 percent of children are doing better than he is."
I nodded again. (Yes, I can do the math.)
He waited, seemingly perplexed. "Having seen what I saw, and of course you have to be with your son all the time -- I have to ask you, how do you have the patience?"
I looked at him. He's my son. It was so obvious, I did not say it.
"I mean, really. How do you do it?" He looked to my husband, who gave him the same look. He tried a different tack: "Well, with all this stress, how are you two doing?"
"Fine," we said, and meant it. He handed us the thick report, still shaking his head.
This is, sadly, a very typical exchange, not just with the experts in our lives, but even close friends: How do we stand our hellish life with a child who functions at 1 percent and starts to bite and hit when he is in situations he doesn't understand -- often, multiple times a day? Once, watching our son having a hard time, a friend even blurted, "I'm so glad this didn't happen to us!"
While our friends worry about the quality of middle schools, our parental duties include bringing our son to the ER to get stitches after he puts his head through a window, then arranging for a window replacement and for a special treatment for all the glass in our house so it won't shatter -- at a pretty penny. Other friends declare, "I couldn't do what you do." If I am to conform to their expectations, I'm not sure what I am supposed to do: Beat my son? Kill myself? (Sadly, parents with kids like my son have done exactly that.)
Maybe it's my Buddhist outlook, but I'm not consumed with worry and frenzy and despair like I'm "supposed" to be. I don't enjoy that my 12-year-old son is still in diapers and sometimes purposely makes a mess in the bathroom. Or that he dumped his Thanksgiving dinner on my sister-in-law's pregnant belly. Or that he screams in the parking lot of Whole Foods until people call the cops on us. On the other hand, he is my son, and he is what I have. And he has a nice smile.
To read the entire article, please click here: http://m.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/07/what-my-sons-disabilities-taught-me-about-having-it-all/260479/
The author on a walk with her son (Photo by Karl H. Jacoby)Evidenced by the number of times Anne-Marie Slaughter's Atlantic piece "Why Women Still Can't Have It All" was posted on Facebook, it served as a cri de coeur of the collective unconscious of those of us swimming in the Gen X/Baby Boomer estuary, last stop before becoming truly elderly. (It's apparently also the most-read article in the magazine's 155-year history.) Slaughter rightly questions why having a family complicates the career ladder for women in a way that it does not for men. But the hidden heart of the article, I believe, is its hinting at that unspoken yearning for that perfect life that has been promised to us by ... someone? Ads? TV? Ms. Magazine? Those ATHLETA catalogs?
Let me compare and contrast that with a typical incident that happened just last week in my own 40-something working mother life. My husband and I were sitting in the office of a neuropsychologist who had just run an assessment on our 12-year-old son who has a variety of disabilities and medical problems.
While our friends worry about middle schools, we bring our son to the ER to get stitches after he puts his head through a window."You know cognitively, he's functioning at the bottom 1 percent of children his age," he said.
I nodded.
"That means 99 percent of children are doing better than he is."
I nodded again. (Yes, I can do the math.)
He waited, seemingly perplexed. "Having seen what I saw, and of course you have to be with your son all the time -- I have to ask you, how do you have the patience?"
I looked at him. He's my son. It was so obvious, I did not say it.
"I mean, really. How do you do it?" He looked to my husband, who gave him the same look. He tried a different tack: "Well, with all this stress, how are you two doing?"
"Fine," we said, and meant it. He handed us the thick report, still shaking his head.
This is, sadly, a very typical exchange, not just with the experts in our lives, but even close friends: How do we stand our hellish life with a child who functions at 1 percent and starts to bite and hit when he is in situations he doesn't understand -- often, multiple times a day? Once, watching our son having a hard time, a friend even blurted, "I'm so glad this didn't happen to us!"
While our friends worry about the quality of middle schools, our parental duties include bringing our son to the ER to get stitches after he puts his head through a window, then arranging for a window replacement and for a special treatment for all the glass in our house so it won't shatter -- at a pretty penny. Other friends declare, "I couldn't do what you do." If I am to conform to their expectations, I'm not sure what I am supposed to do: Beat my son? Kill myself? (Sadly, parents with kids like my son have done exactly that.)
Maybe it's my Buddhist outlook, but I'm not consumed with worry and frenzy and despair like I'm "supposed" to be. I don't enjoy that my 12-year-old son is still in diapers and sometimes purposely makes a mess in the bathroom. Or that he dumped his Thanksgiving dinner on my sister-in-law's pregnant belly. Or that he screams in the parking lot of Whole Foods until people call the cops on us. On the other hand, he is my son, and he is what I have. And he has a nice smile.
To read the entire article, please click here: http://m.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/07/what-my-sons-disabilities-taught-me-about-having-it-all/260479/
Friday, June 8, 2012
Last day in my current career
Today will officially be my last day in my communications career that I have worked at since the late 1990s. I imagine I will always be doing communications work in some capacity, most probably medical communications, as I do love to write, plan and, simply, communicate! However, today is the official end of my current career.
That seems quite surreal to write. Despite the fact that I am thoroughly convinced that this is the right move to make, being fully aware of the reality that 'this is the last day' gives me mixed feelings. I have been extremely lucky and blessed in my work all these years. I've had the opportunity to work for the UN -- I've represented Canada at the UN in Geneva, NYC and New Delhi, and have worked at the Canadian Embassy in Paris. I've travelled on my coveted red, diplomatic passport, now safely tucked into a memory box for safe-keeping. It's been quite a ride...and I am so extremely grateful for all the opportunities and experiences I've had, and all the incredible people I've met along the way, who have helped me and encouraged me in my career.
However, the pull of the medical field as my calling, my vocation, has not diminished over the years, as I'd hoped it would as I settled into a communications career in the field of international diplomacy. Then came a family, and the pull towards a more balanced home-work career also appeared. What I ultimately need to do, is see and feel that my daily work actually has some tangible meaning, in a helpful way, to someone. I need to work in the medical field. And I must admit, I've already found the perfect job for me that I will be working towards -- my new long-term goal -- is being a nurse with the UN in Geneva. That is simply THE perfect job for me. So, soon-to-be former colleagues, our professional paths may yet cross, but in a somewhat different capacity!
It has not been an easy decision to make, and I didn't make it lightly. I truly believe this is the right decision to make at this stage in my life, and that it will all work out great.
But now it is simply time to move on. Here's to harmony, and happiness!
That seems quite surreal to write. Despite the fact that I am thoroughly convinced that this is the right move to make, being fully aware of the reality that 'this is the last day' gives me mixed feelings. I have been extremely lucky and blessed in my work all these years. I've had the opportunity to work for the UN -- I've represented Canada at the UN in Geneva, NYC and New Delhi, and have worked at the Canadian Embassy in Paris. I've travelled on my coveted red, diplomatic passport, now safely tucked into a memory box for safe-keeping. It's been quite a ride...and I am so extremely grateful for all the opportunities and experiences I've had, and all the incredible people I've met along the way, who have helped me and encouraged me in my career.
However, the pull of the medical field as my calling, my vocation, has not diminished over the years, as I'd hoped it would as I settled into a communications career in the field of international diplomacy. Then came a family, and the pull towards a more balanced home-work career also appeared. What I ultimately need to do, is see and feel that my daily work actually has some tangible meaning, in a helpful way, to someone. I need to work in the medical field. And I must admit, I've already found the perfect job for me that I will be working towards -- my new long-term goal -- is being a nurse with the UN in Geneva. That is simply THE perfect job for me. So, soon-to-be former colleagues, our professional paths may yet cross, but in a somewhat different capacity!
It has not been an easy decision to make, and I didn't make it lightly. I truly believe this is the right decision to make at this stage in my life, and that it will all work out great.
But now it is simply time to move on. Here's to harmony, and happiness!
"What is happiness except the simple harmony between a person and the life they lead."-- Albert Camus
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
I am a little r
The end is here. First year officially finished with last night's amazing clinical microbiology exam. Whew!!!
Today, I have an amazing feeling of freedom. Of no studying, no textbooks to be looked at, no notes to review, no assignments to finish, no nothing school-related to do. What an amazing feeling. (OK, my impending return to the office is hovering over my head, but that's another issue...)
I am so grateful for so much. I am grateful that this year is over. While I learned so incredibly much, it is a year I would never want to do again. From here on in, there will still be classroom courses, but every single semester will include labs/clinical rotations. Never again will the entire year just be classroom-based. "Real" nursing starts in September.
Also, future years will never have so many 'firsts' and new experiences as this year had. I have now gone through the main transition of deciding to change careers and actually follow through with the idea. I now have an amazing group of friends in my classes, so I will never again face a classroom not knowing anyone. I now know that even at my age and stage in life, I am able to still learn and achieve amazing academic results (if I dare say so myself!).
And I simply know I am where I am meant to be. I love what I learned this past year, and it is only going to get better and better, the more clinical experiences I have.
So even though at times it was stressful, overwhelming and frustrating to be back at school, overall, the year has simply flown by. I am so happy it is over, and even more grateful to be doing what I am doing.
Now I have a free week to try to do as many items on my around the house "to do" list as I possibly can, and to spend as much time as possible with my 5 year old munchkin, before FT work awaits. This afternoon, I will be in her classroom again, volunteering. It is such a gift to me to be able to do that.
Oh, I almost forgot to explain the title. Now that I've finished one year out of the four year program, I jokingly referred to myself as being 25% nurse. My son explained to me that I am now a small "r", having finished a quarter of the studies. Next year, with second year completed, I will be a capital letter "R", end of third year, I'll be an "Rn", and finally when school is truly done, I will truly be a full-fledged "RN".
So for now I am thrilled to be an "r".
Onwards and upwards -- always.
:-)
Today, I have an amazing feeling of freedom. Of no studying, no textbooks to be looked at, no notes to review, no assignments to finish, no nothing school-related to do. What an amazing feeling. (OK, my impending return to the office is hovering over my head, but that's another issue...)
I am so grateful for so much. I am grateful that this year is over. While I learned so incredibly much, it is a year I would never want to do again. From here on in, there will still be classroom courses, but every single semester will include labs/clinical rotations. Never again will the entire year just be classroom-based. "Real" nursing starts in September.
Also, future years will never have so many 'firsts' and new experiences as this year had. I have now gone through the main transition of deciding to change careers and actually follow through with the idea. I now have an amazing group of friends in my classes, so I will never again face a classroom not knowing anyone. I now know that even at my age and stage in life, I am able to still learn and achieve amazing academic results (if I dare say so myself!).
And I simply know I am where I am meant to be. I love what I learned this past year, and it is only going to get better and better, the more clinical experiences I have.
So even though at times it was stressful, overwhelming and frustrating to be back at school, overall, the year has simply flown by. I am so happy it is over, and even more grateful to be doing what I am doing.
Now I have a free week to try to do as many items on my around the house "to do" list as I possibly can, and to spend as much time as possible with my 5 year old munchkin, before FT work awaits. This afternoon, I will be in her classroom again, volunteering. It is such a gift to me to be able to do that.
Oh, I almost forgot to explain the title. Now that I've finished one year out of the four year program, I jokingly referred to myself as being 25% nurse. My son explained to me that I am now a small "r", having finished a quarter of the studies. Next year, with second year completed, I will be a capital letter "R", end of third year, I'll be an "Rn", and finally when school is truly done, I will truly be a full-fledged "RN".
So for now I am thrilled to be an "r".
Onwards and upwards -- always.
:-)
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Some good questions to ask yourself
It seems that in my recent browsings on the Net, I've come across a number of interesting pieces and sites about career change, and that friends have been sending me interesting articles as well.
My latest find is an article from the Oprah site. While I have never really been on the Oprah bandwagon, I certainly readily admit that she has done amazing work in having people "wake up" to living their lives mindfully and helping inspire people (as well as giving practical advice how) to make the decision to live their lives to the fullest, best, most content level possible. Her web site is an excellent resource for articles and interviews on these themes, and clearly, many, many more.
The link and credit to the full article is here: (drives me crazy that the articles are never available on a single page)
http://www.oprah.com/money/Get-Out-of-a-Job-Rut-Suzy-Welchs-Career-Advice
However, the main premise of the article is to ask yourself five key questions about the direction, state and environment of your job/career, and to use the answers as the basis of your thinking about future plans, goals and objectives.
The five key questions are:
Question 1Does this job allow me to work with "my people"—individuals who share my sensibilities about life—or do I have to put on a persona to get through the day?
Question 2
Does this job challenge, stretch, change, and otherwise make me smarter—or does it leave my brain in neutral?
Question 3Does this job, because of the company's "brand" or my level of responsibility, open the door to future jobs?
Question 4Does this job represent a considerable compromise for the sake of my family and if so, do I sincerely accept that deal with all of its consequences?
Question 5
Does this job—the stuff I actually do day-to-day—touch my heart and feed my soul in meaningful ways?
So I'm just putting this out there, as I think they are strong and valid questions to ask oneself, regardless if a career change is brewing on the horizon or not. "Job" could be any situation you find yourself in, from present career situation to volunteer work.
My latest find is an article from the Oprah site. While I have never really been on the Oprah bandwagon, I certainly readily admit that she has done amazing work in having people "wake up" to living their lives mindfully and helping inspire people (as well as giving practical advice how) to make the decision to live their lives to the fullest, best, most content level possible. Her web site is an excellent resource for articles and interviews on these themes, and clearly, many, many more.
The link and credit to the full article is here: (drives me crazy that the articles are never available on a single page)
http://www.oprah.com/money/Get-Out-of-a-Job-Rut-Suzy-Welchs-Career-Advice
However, the main premise of the article is to ask yourself five key questions about the direction, state and environment of your job/career, and to use the answers as the basis of your thinking about future plans, goals and objectives.
The five key questions are:
Question 1Does this job allow me to work with "my people"—individuals who share my sensibilities about life—or do I have to put on a persona to get through the day?
Question 2
Does this job challenge, stretch, change, and otherwise make me smarter—or does it leave my brain in neutral?
Question 3Does this job, because of the company's "brand" or my level of responsibility, open the door to future jobs?
Question 4Does this job represent a considerable compromise for the sake of my family and if so, do I sincerely accept that deal with all of its consequences?
Question 5
Does this job—the stuff I actually do day-to-day—touch my heart and feed my soul in meaningful ways?
So I'm just putting this out there, as I think they are strong and valid questions to ask oneself, regardless if a career change is brewing on the horizon or not. "Job" could be any situation you find yourself in, from present career situation to volunteer work.
Friday, August 26, 2011
"You Should Probably Quit Your Job" (article)
A friend sent me the following article, that she found in a Canadian newspaper. Clearly, the author is a like-minded individual to myself!
Only one and a half more weeks to go until classes start, and only 5 more days at my job next week. Only 11 more commutes to/from work. I'm good at countdowns. :-)
THEN, the focus of my writing will most certainly be focused on school, rather than the media and thinking up various scenarios of what school will be like this time 'round.
I must admit that this upcoming career change still seems completely and utterly surreal at this point. I'm doing what in a couple weeks???!!!
********************************************
You Should Probably Quit Your Job
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Yes, you've got what it takes!
I came across the following article recently. The author graduated at age 45 as an RN, and is happily working in her new field and loving it.
The article is posted in my blog, but it is also worth clicking on the link, to read all (several years worth!) of comments people have left. The comments in themselves are inspirational stories!!!
Enjoy! And here's to us writing such an article one of these years!!! :-)
http://www.realityrn.com/more-articles/managing-your-career/the-perks-of-nursing-as-a-second-career/266/
****************************************************************
The article is posted in my blog, but it is also worth clicking on the link, to read all (several years worth!) of comments people have left. The comments in themselves are inspirational stories!!!
Enjoy! And here's to us writing such an article one of these years!!! :-)
http://www.realityrn.com/more-articles/managing-your-career/the-perks-of-nursing-as-a-second-career/266/
****************************************************************
The Perks of Nursing as a Second Career
Yes, you’ve got what it takes!
What would prompt a 45-year-old mother of teenagers to pursue a career in nursing?
Delusional thinking, some might say. At times I thought I was mad. How could I keep up with those tireless, technology-savvy twenty-somethings? Still I couldn’t ignore my inner rumbling. I wanted to do something significant with my life.
When I was younger, nursing was my dream. But I wasn’t the student I needed to be to make that a reality. Instead, I got a degree in social work. But like many women my age, I got married, had my first child, and traded in my dry-clean-only wardrobe for playdate attire.
The children grew up. At about 40, I started thinking about nursing again. Since I wasn’t getting any younger, I realized if I wanted to do it, I had to do it now. Five years later, I’m ready to take my State Board Exam and work at a rehabilitation hospital in the brain injury unit.
Being a second career nurse isn’t easy—and it probably never will be. I often feel like I’m 13 steps behind the young new nurses. Nursing is physical, and with a body that’s already slowing down, the eight- and twelve-hour shifts are draining.
I also find myself worrying about adjusting to the technology—which younger students are proficient at. Once you get used to one pump, it’s gone and the next one comes in. I’ve spoken with other second-career nurses, and all share that feeling of not being able to keep up.
But through the discouragement, I’ve learned what second career nurses have to offer.
Your Unique Experience
Second career nurses bring to the nursing profession something younger nurses don’t have: life experience. My fellow students—most who were about 20 years younger than I—often said to me, “You’re just so comfortable and confident.” They mentioned how nervous they felt when talking to a patient. I’ve never really stressed about that. I chalk that up to my background in social work and because I’ve had my own children and been through lots of family health situations. I bring more empathy and knowledge to the nursing environment.
I also think I’ve gained confidence as I’ve gotten older; I am not afraid to say to myself, I am still smart. I can still do it…and I’m going to do it. Seasoned nurses might snidely question the way I do things, but I don’t take it personally. Instead, I deal with it. I’ve encountered enough catty people in my life—from my previous work as a social worker to the PTO--to know that usually these people have insecurities of their own.
As a second career nurse, I’m also sure of my priorities. Often, hospitals want younger students who want to climb the corporate ladder—and, hence, are willing to take the tough shifts. At this stage in my life, accelerating in my career isn’t my first priority; my family is. So, I’ve chosen to be pickier about my shifts.
I encourage others to pursue a nursing career, even if you feel over-the-hill. Health care professionals are hugely in demand, and good, caring ones are going to be the difference in solving the problems we face. Each of us has something different to offer—whatever our life stage—and working together we can make a difference.
Delusional thinking, some might say. At times I thought I was mad. How could I keep up with those tireless, technology-savvy twenty-somethings? Still I couldn’t ignore my inner rumbling. I wanted to do something significant with my life.
When I was younger, nursing was my dream. But I wasn’t the student I needed to be to make that a reality. Instead, I got a degree in social work. But like many women my age, I got married, had my first child, and traded in my dry-clean-only wardrobe for playdate attire.
The children grew up. At about 40, I started thinking about nursing again. Since I wasn’t getting any younger, I realized if I wanted to do it, I had to do it now. Five years later, I’m ready to take my State Board Exam and work at a rehabilitation hospital in the brain injury unit.
Being a second career nurse isn’t easy—and it probably never will be. I often feel like I’m 13 steps behind the young new nurses. Nursing is physical, and with a body that’s already slowing down, the eight- and twelve-hour shifts are draining.
I also find myself worrying about adjusting to the technology—which younger students are proficient at. Once you get used to one pump, it’s gone and the next one comes in. I’ve spoken with other second-career nurses, and all share that feeling of not being able to keep up.
But through the discouragement, I’ve learned what second career nurses have to offer.
Your Unique Experience
Second career nurses bring to the nursing profession something younger nurses don’t have: life experience. My fellow students—most who were about 20 years younger than I—often said to me, “You’re just so comfortable and confident.” They mentioned how nervous they felt when talking to a patient. I’ve never really stressed about that. I chalk that up to my background in social work and because I’ve had my own children and been through lots of family health situations. I bring more empathy and knowledge to the nursing environment.
I also think I’ve gained confidence as I’ve gotten older; I am not afraid to say to myself, I am still smart. I can still do it…and I’m going to do it. Seasoned nurses might snidely question the way I do things, but I don’t take it personally. Instead, I deal with it. I’ve encountered enough catty people in my life—from my previous work as a social worker to the PTO--to know that usually these people have insecurities of their own.
As a second career nurse, I’m also sure of my priorities. Often, hospitals want younger students who want to climb the corporate ladder—and, hence, are willing to take the tough shifts. At this stage in my life, accelerating in my career isn’t my first priority; my family is. So, I’ve chosen to be pickier about my shifts.
I encourage others to pursue a nursing career, even if you feel over-the-hill. Health care professionals are hugely in demand, and good, caring ones are going to be the difference in solving the problems we face. Each of us has something different to offer—whatever our life stage—and working together we can make a difference.
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