The number one question I get is why aren't you a nurse? Well, it's not that I wouldn't love that and maybe someday I will be, but that is not the path I chose. It's only recently that I felt my youngest was old enough to handle my absences and lack of personal time for him. My children have been my number one priority and helping Kevin navigate through our business ups and downs. We decided that I would become a CMA. It was the quickest route to a steady income and still a profession I love. To the naysayers that tell me I won't find a job and won't make shit, I say, "God, has not taken me this far with these gifts to not place me in the perfect setting for His benefit and the benefit of all." Also, my school loans are pretty small so I don't need a crazy income to pay for them. I just wanted to be able to help with our finances and have some extra. (extra? what the hell is that?)
I was so scared and excited in the beginning. I was the oldest in my class and wanted to do well. My family and friends found my worry humorous. And of course, they were right. I have a 4.0 GPA. I was the only one in quite some time to have 100% in A&P. Funny thing is, if I go on to nursing I have to take it again, but more in depth. Oh well, at least I have a jump start. I got along great with everyone in school and the girls thought I was a hoot. I've made some friends I think I'll keep :).
The best part of school was my 5 week externship. Another question I get is "Why isn't it called an Internship?". Cuz it's still part of my schooling? I don't know. Don't care. Google it.
I LOVED being at NCHC. LOOOOOVED it! For real. I got to do everything I was ever taught and more. By week two I was pretty much on my own with minimum supervision. The pace was fast and I was on my feet all day. I never sat down. I saw patients all day of every age and shape. I spent time with the dying, inflicted, infected, diseased, anxious, depressed, you name it. It was wonderful to have a challenging patient and get them to smile. Drawing blood was great. EKG's and swabs and cultures and codes and biopsies were all fun to me. I felt like I had stepping into a bath with the perfect temperature. I floated through the hallway with total joy. Seriously, my spirit felt at home. Being with humanity at their sometimes worst was a gift. When someone is scared and in pain, who cares that their nipple piercing is in your face? Who cares if the gay couple want to be together in the same room? Who cares that this woman is 400 lbs and needs your understanding? Who cares that this woman's UTI smells really bad or that this elderly person just threw up? Well, technically, I do. I care that they are treated with respect and a smile. Something inside of me clicks on when there's a challenge and things get crazy. So many different people, so little time! lol
I was meant to do this. I was meant to do lots of things. Who knows where this is going to go? I can't live in the land of "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda". Yeah, it would be great to be a surgeon or specialist, but I'm not so.....let's see what I can do with this? I learned I want to be part of a family practice with their own lab. A place where they do everything. Maybe Acute Care or Emergency Care? I want to be part of a team where the Doctor continues to teach me. Being a CMA means I can do quite a lot under a Doctor's eye. I like that. I like that I'm covered and don't have to make the big decisions. I'm still raising kids! Isn't that enough? I'm lucky I remember to brush my teeth half the time.
I guess the biggest thing, is that I remembered true joy. Joy is a gift from God. It is different than happiness. Happiness is nothing compared to joy. Joy is internally made. It has nothing to do with what people can do for you. It has everything to do with serving and touching a soul. Joy is Holy. When you are moving in your gift to bless others...that is joy.
