As a young girl, there was not a defining moment that led me to believe that nursing was what God had in store for my life.  Not one of my four siblings had attended college and three did not complete high school.  There were not role models, in my home, readily available for inspiration.

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When high school was over, I was married and divorced at the age of 18.  Back home with no job, no car, and no support.  Life Care Nursing Home was a four-block walk and this was the best opportunity for obtaining a steady paycheck. 

 

I enrolled in a certified nursing assistance program at Life Care and began working for $3 an hour. This was minimum wage at the time.  From there, the director of nursing observed my work ethic and when he transferred to be a director at a hospital in the next county over, he asked that I follow and train in respiratory.  There was not a certification required for that position in 1985.  The respiratory position and the hospital I trained in is where my love for healthcare was developed and encouraged.

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I then became a licensed practical nurse at the age of 31, an emergency medical technician at 35, received my bachelor's in nursing at 50.  The road may end for me with a master's degree at 56, or it may not.  I have learned to never say never.

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