I knew I wanted to be a nurse in the 3rd grade. My mom came home with a dog-eared book from the neighborhood garage sale. "Cherry Ames - Flight Nurse" captured my attention like nothing else could. I dreamed of saving all my patient's lives, and them all falling in love with me...my eight year old self knew I was destined for greatness. Fast-forward to my senior year of high school. I told my parents I wanted to go to nursing school. My dad laughed and said, "Sweetheart, you just aren't smart enough...why don't you go be a teacher instead." I was crushed...so I did. I graduated with a degree in exercise and sports science. I coached girls' athletics and taught 7th-grade history. It was ok, but deep down inside, I still wanted to be a nurse. I decided to quit teaching and began working as a Certified Nurse Aide at a local long-term rehabilitation center while I worked my way through nursing school. I worked every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and went to school Monday - Thursday. I lived with my grandmother and saved as much as I could. I graduated with my Licensed Vocational Nursing Degree at the top of my class. 5 years later I graduated with my Associate's Degree in Nursing. I went to work in the operating room and continued on with my studies, completing my Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Texas Tech University. I worked in the Operating Room for several years before I met and married the love of my life. I worked weekends and he worked during the week. It allowed us to start a family and not have to use daycare. We were incredibly happy together. One day he passed away from a pulmonary embolism and I found myself needing to have a "normal" work-life balance. I randomly applied to teach nursing at the local community college and was shocked when they hired me. I was even more shocked when I discovered I had a knack for teaching and actually enjoyed it. I now teach nursing full-time and continue to pick up a few shifts a month in the operating room. My son is happy and healthy and we are doing well. To grow in my chosen career, I need to have a Masters Degree. This fall I started my Master's in Nursing Education. I want to direct my own nursing program one day. But for now, I am content teaching the future nurses of America. I have never forgotten the words my dad spoke to me that day, and Cherry Ames sits proudly on my bookcase in my office. I tell this story to each new cohort of students I teach to encourage them, that if a country girl from the middle of nowhere Texas can do it, they can too.