Story

HOW IT STARTED:

My father is a retired surgeon. He ran a mission hospital in Monrovia, Liberia, which has since become an ebola center. This is where I grew up, on a palm lined west African beach. As a child, I helped out in the pediatric ward, and sometimes watched my dad perform surgery. From this experience, I learned that I am not squeamish, and the seed was planted for my future in nursing, though it would be a long time before it became a reality. After graduating from the American Embassy school in Liberia, I returned to the States and attended Bible School and Art School in Michigan.

BACK TO SCHOOL:

I moved to a remote town on the north shore of Lake Superior, where I discovered my artistic voice. I performed destination weddings, and worked many varied jobs, trying to make ends meet. We had no college in the area, so returning to school never crossed my mind. Remember, I grew up in a world with no cell phones, and no personal computers. Eventually, online learning became a reality, and I went to the Higher Education office in town to inquire. I started Nursing School at age 50. This was a dream I had kept on the back of my mind, having considered becoming a nurse 30 years earlier. I wanted to create a better life for myself and my daughter. Living in a tiny town in northern Minnesota, I had to do much of my schooling online, and also made many trips to the campus, which was a three hour drive each way. I was afraid the whole time that I would not succeed. I was the oldest student in my class, and wondered if I would be able to keep up with the other students. There were certainly challenges, but I was determined. I not only wanted to achieve my personal educational goals, but I wanted to set an example for my daughter, who was struggling in high school. While attending nursing school, I worked as a nursing assistant. I owe a debt of gratitude to the staff at Cook County Higher Education. They held my hand and guided me through the process. They also proctored tests, and even coached me in math. I graduated with honors, and was the commencement speaker for the entire class of 2012.

MY LIFE AS A NURSE:

Following graduation, I worked for 8 years in long term geriatric care. My daughter grew up and moved away, as children do. I did not want to be an empty nester. My heart and my home were open, and I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. This was true in my professional life as well as in my personal life.

A GROWING FAMILY:

Just as in school, I thought I was too old to adopt. My daughter encouraged me to go for it, and cheered me on. I just kept telling my caseworker to put the next hoop in front of me, and I would jump through it. I adopted a sibling group of special needs teenagers out of foster care. This meant I could no longer work nights, so I became the school nurse for our local Independent School District. This way, I had the same schedule as my kids. My story is unique, as everyone’s is. My hope is that other people will hear my story, and follow their dreams in spite of the obstacles present in every life. I have spoken with students at career fairs on behalf of nursing, and I often tell them this: There has never been anyone just like you in the whole history of the universe. Your strengths and your weaknesses are gifts that no one else possesses. It doesn’t matter how old you are, or how young you are. You are incredibly special whether you realize it or not. If I can do this, you can, too. I discovered nurse.com as a valuable tool for completing my CEUs not only for nursing, but for ongoing foster care.

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