Why Nursing?

Every interviewer, family member, and friend has asked me why I have decided to go back to school for nursing. I feel now is as good a time as ever to put it in writing here! 

The gorgeous University of Illinois in the spring. 

I began my undergrad with no idea of what to major in (I started in Special Ed knowing I wanted to change). I grew up in a very food-centered, health conscious household, so Nutrition really stood out to me. I figured I would become a Registered Dietitian and work in private practice with the overweight/obese population. Fast forward a year, I started volunteering in a hospital and realized that was the environment I was meant to work in. 

Nutrition immersion in the dining hall. The best major with the best friends!

I started going back and forth with becoming a doctor, physicians assistant, and nurse practitioner. I love nutrition and hope to use it in my career one day, but I needed something "more" in the healthcare realm. After a ton of research and many mental breakdowns (shout out to Jeff), I decided to apply to a few masters in nursing programs. With every conversation, school visit, and "nursing" search on Pinterest, I knew I had found the perfect career. I only wish I had realized it sooner! 

Graduation, May 2016

So, long story short I finished up my Nutrition degree, completed all of my nursing school applications, and started a new job in marketing all in the last 6 months. I still LOVE nutrition and will continue to use it for the rest of my life, whether it is a part of my career or not. I also really enjoy working in marketing, but I know myself well enough to say it's not my "forever job". I was accepted into a nursing program in Chicago and immediately said yes, thinking that I would never get in (let alone get an interview) at Rush. 

Right after I was accepted to Rush, Jeff went out and bought me tons of spirit wear and gave me a photo shoot

Once October rolled around, I had not only interviewed but I had been accepted into the Masters in Nursing program at Rush University in Chicago. The next day, Jeff and I signed a lease on an apartment down the street and moved in shortly after that. It has been a complete whirlwind but I could not be happier! 

My senior year of college was filled with anxiety over the fact that I did not like where my life was headed. I was jealous of Jeff getting into dental school, angry whenever I heard about friends getting their dream jobs, and just upset over the fact that such a great season of my life was ending. BUT I have learned that if your not happy you can change it. It's okay (and good!) to be happy for people even when your own life isn't "perfect", and that everything happens for a reason- even if you don't like the timing.