An important life lesson that I have learned is, "growth only occurs when you do something uncomfortable". This is one of the most intimating and daunting slew of words that I have ever heard. However, it has proven to be true in almost every circumstance of my life in which I have experienced professional and personal development. As a small town college kid from Vermont, I can recall many thoughts of doubt and worry in regards to my future pursuits and accomplishments. It wasn't until I uprooted my life to the state of North Carolina and applied to my first nursing job on a pediatric floor at DUH, that I made my first truly uncomfortable move. The growth I experienced was more than I could ever have anticipated. I learned how to care for a vulnerable population who depends on you for their safety, health, and overall well being. My voice became more distinguished, louder when expressing the needs of myself as well as my patients, and softer when comforting a child or family who discovered the bone pain and persistent fevers and night sweats were indications of a diagnosis only imagined in their worst nightmares. Just when I became more comfortable with the environment I was in and the role I had learned to fill to the best of my current knowledge and abilities, I set out to be a travel nurse. Leaving my established life in NC to travel to various states and hospitals around the United States, I found that I was yet again placed in the perfect position for growth. I have learned to be resilient, resourceful, and independent. I have cared for patients with varying diagnosis and cultures that were unfamiliar. As I pursue my graduate degree in Nursing Executive Leadership, I am comforted by the higher demands, as I know great things will come from this new challenge. I am thankful for all the discomfort life has in store for me.

The wisest thing I have ever heard was, "growth only occurs when you do something uncomfortable". This is one of the most intimating and daunting slew of words that I have ever heard. However, it has proven to be true in almost every circumstance of my life in which I have experienced professional and personal development. As a small town college kid from Vermont, I can recall many thoughts of doubt and worry in regards to my future pursuits and accomplishments. It wasn't until I uprooted my life to the state of North Carolina and applied to my first nursing job on a pediatric floor at DUH, that I made my first truly uncomfortable move. The growth I experienced was more than I could ever have anticipated. I learned how to care for a vulnerable population who depends on you for their safety, health, and overall well being. My voice became more distinguished, louder when expressing the needs of myself as well as my patients, and softer when comforting a child or family who discovered the bone pain and persistent fevers and night sweats were indications of a diagnosis only imagined in their worst nightmares. Just when I became more comfortable with the environment I was in and the role I had learned to fill to the best of my current knowledge and abilities, I set out to be a travel nurse. Leaving my established life in NC to travel to various states and hospitals around the United States, I found that I was yet again placed in the perfect position for growth. I have learned to be resilient, resourceful, and independent. I have cared for patients with varying diagnosis and cultures that were unfamiliar. I am thankful for all the discomfort life has to offer.

I have had the incredible opportunity to work as a pediatric nurse for the past 4 years. I began my career wanting to help children and their families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. As an individual who was born with a sacral coccygeal teratoma, I found myself longing to help those experiencing health compromises and difficult medical diagnosis. In addition to becoming pediatric nurse certified in 2019, I pursued me chemotherapy administration certification to allow for more opportunities to care for one of the most vulnerable and resilient patient populations imaginable. I have cherished every moment in this field and am so grateful for the development in skills, advocacy, and knowledge that nursing has provided for me. I hope to one day become a nurse manager of a pediatric hematology/oncology/general unit. My goal is fueled by the desire to work diligently to create a work culture that supports and advocates for all staff members in hopes of providing them with the support and encouragement that they need to perform exceptional care to patients and their families. There is nothing more important than the safety and care quality of each patient and their families.