How I ended up being a Nurse

March 9, 2022

A rainy afternoon everyone. I decided to declutter my things today so I can organize the things I needed to apply work for abroad. Transcript of records, related learning experience, curriculum vitae, birth certificate, passports, etc…

As I browse my papers I saw my grades on my first year as a nursing student and it made me think how did I became a nurse?

I’ve been a nurse now for almost 8 years. And I work as an Emergency room nurse on a tertiary hospital under the government. So how did I ended up being a nurse?

I grew up with my grandparents on my mother side. I’ve been an honor student on my elementary years and graduated as a salutatorian. After I graduated from elementary, I went to our hometown national high school. That is when I f**k up big time.

I became addicted to computer games (counter strike, ragnarok). This addiction made me not to attend classes, do homework and many more. My grades are failing and but still I’m not worried. To me what’s important is college. As long as I graduate high school I can start fresh again on college to reach my goals.

On my third year as a high school student, my addiction to computer became worst to the point that my parents were called by my adviser. She told my parents that I won’t be able to pass this school year if I don’t change. My parents were very disappointed at me that time asking me what happened to that honor student before. But still, I don’t give a care about it. I’ll just pass this school year and the coming year so I can finally go to college. So I changed my habit a little bit to be able to pass my third year that time. And I passed!

It was my summer vacation that time when I met a group of new friends that is studying on our nearby hometown. They look cool and easy to go with so I decided to transfer on the school they were attending. My parents as supportive as always agreed and maybe that I would change. And they are correct.

So I’m now attending a new school. New faces on an unfamiliar place. But it was alright because I can still get a chance to be with my new friends after school. This is when my parents thoughts that I will change if I change school became true. I’m now not addicted to online games but now I learned to drink and smoke. Nothing has changed at all on my goal. Just pass this year and college will be the start. I’ve managed again to pass and graduated. College year here I come.

I took up Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology on a state university on our hometown. As I promised myself, I started as a hard working student on first semester. Second semester has come that is when the habit that I have gained on my high school years came back. I realized that I was just pretending to be good but the habits of drinking, smoking, playing computer game aren’t removed inside myself. I started not to attend classes again and even spend my tuition just to party. And my parents discovered what I’ve done.

My parents were so mad at me that they told me that they won’t bring me to college no more. My life is a mess. My plan reaching my goal is now ruined. I f**ked up.

After that incident, I was so ashamed to all the people around me. I was a failure. So I decided to go to Manila to work on my Tita’s business. I’m hoping that I could save up so I can support myself to study. Two years have passed but the money I saved isn’t enough.

I was losing hope. But that is when I received a message from one of my Tita asking me if I want to study again. I immediately replied with a yes. She invited me to come over to her place so discuss about her condition before giving me a chance to study again. The terms are she will be the one to pick what course I will get and no drinking/smoking while I’m studying. I agreed to her terms and condition and promised myself not to lose this last chance given to me.

So I took up the course she wanted for me which is bachelor of science in Nursing. Lots of memorization, practical duties. Even if I don’t want this course I still studied hard so that this last given opportunity for me wouldn’t be a waste. I graduated on April 2014. I took the licensure exam two months after and luckily I passed. I was so thankful to my Tita for the opportunity she has given me.

There are still a lot of ups and down on my career as a nurse but I learned to love this profession. Without this I won’t be able to gain again the loss confidence in myself.

To all of you, don’t miss all the opportunity that is given to you. If you can, do it now. Don’t make my own mistake. I’ve wasted 4 years of my time that could have changed my life for the better.

image source taken from unsplash.com