Growing up, I bounced between possible careers. An airline pilot, veterinarian (as any little girl dreams of at some point), and again a pilot. Each time, I was equally taken with the work, responsibility, and purpose. As a little girl, I spent great amounts of time researching all I could about what it means to be of these professions. When my heart eventually came around, once again, to chasing after a career in aviation, I decided to join the cadets. My time here was incredible, and I learned so much about our country, the air force, and commercial piloting. But it also revealed a deal about myself as I continued to grow into who I am today. One of those things was, ultimately, that commercial piloting was just not for me. My need to be home at the end of the day was not the only thing revealed. Something else in my heart slowly began to surface: a desire to serve and increase others. I swayed between alternative career paths for quite a while; until my eyes opened to the answer, which my entire life, was hidden right before me. Having been sure that I would never become a nurse—both my parents are nurses, my aunt is a nurse, my uncle is a nurse, and my grandmother was a nurse—I looked everywhere else on my career search. Then, there is it was. I now plan, specifically, is to pursue work in pediatric or neonatal care. Preparation for a science-heavy career (e.g. in medicine) obviously begins with intensive schooling. To prepare for the preparation that is nursing school, I’ve prioritized my academics, taking care to truly learn the math, biology, and chemistry I’ve been taught—of course maintaining a 4.0 while challenging myself in accelerated courses. This year I made the decision to part from the traditional high school setting, that I may become accustomed to college-level academics while completing nursing school prerequisites through RunningStart. I spent a great deal of time mentoring young children in a charity horsemanship-based organization, aimed to uplift those whom life has dealt a poor set of cards. The things learned during my three years in the program I hope to take into my future endeavors. My deep interest in sports medicine and athletic performance science brought me into the athletic training room at my high school, where I would spend 4-8 hours every day from May through December. Working alongside the Football team’s athletic trainer and team physician—at home and on the road—they entrusted me to prepare many game essentials, communicate with coaches, administer treatments and preventative aids, and to be a right hand during on field injury-response. I learned so much from this experience: about what it truly means to be part of a team, about working behind the scenes—quickly and efficiently, often handling more than one task at once—and for a purpose greater than myself. Though at times it could become quite tiring, I loved every bit of the opportunity, and from this there are innumerable realizations or principles which I can apply to nursing. Now, as I wait to complete my Nursing Assistant certification, I’m in and out of the hospital setting, shadowing in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). This experience is truly invaluable. With each passing day, It becomes clearer that this is where I want to create an impact. Whatever it may take out of me, that I might be able to reassure anxious parents; that I might have the privilege of helping, comforting, and healing young, innocent, souls—I am more than willing to give.

Every position in the medical field has its own place and value. We of course need doctors to lead medical teams and make crucial decisions. We also need radiology techs, dietitians, aids, physical therapists, EMTs, and IT workers to keep the system going. But for me, there is something special about nursing. These are the individuals who—for the most part—actually carry out a doctor’s orders. Nurses devote their whole selves to the care of patients; they’re right there with them day in and day out. Through ups and downs, they diligently keep watch over any changing conditions. They are the front line. Every human life begins in a state of fragile, precious vulnerability. Not one person has ever been born who had no use for tender, nurturing care. It is thanks to this that we all achieve our own shot at life—but some newborns need a little more help than others. NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nursing can be hard, very hard. One needs to have a strong soul to endure heart-breaking patient outcomes. In spite of that, it is also a career filled with joy. NICU nurses are blessed with the opportunity to help new parents bring their babies home, once the baby is ready and strong enough. It would be a privilege to serve the Lord as a NICU nurse—to be entrusted with the life of God’s most innocent souls. This world is full of evil, so much I am unable to do anything about. But in this career, my service to the Lord would be direct, tangible. By meticulously nurturing, strengthening, or healing these babies; informing, reassuring, or comforting anxious parents; and aiding those around me; I may be able to share the comfort and understanding which the Lord so freely bestows upon me. For some, hospitals can be a dark place. But I pray, that the light of Christ may shine through me—that these good works may fan the fire of the Holy Spirit within—bringing hope, joy, and rest to as many hurting or lost souls as I can. When I pray to the Lord, that he may make me bold and confident in faith, I do not simply wake one day with these things. The Lord is patient and sanctification is a process—one we undergo until the day He calls us home. Instead, He will increase me by an opportunity to be bold, to be confident. And with many of these [opportunities] will He present me: each day of my life in that NIC-Unit. Of this I am certain—be it all for His glory, the good of the gospel, and the good of His people.

The LORD awoke me from my slumber, he drew me from deep waters. Through Him I am alive: in body and at last in spirit. His grace changed my life. His love changed my life. His sacrifice changed my life. As I’ve drawn closer to Him, He has drawn closer to me: growing the little faith I gave Him when we first met—just over a year ago—into that by which I now take every step. In contemporary America, many facets of higher education are contrary to God’s Will, Word, and Way. ‘Wokeness’ is so prevalent among today’s young people: many on their own educational journey, many of whom surround us. These lost sheep have given authority to the prince of powers of the air, succumbing to idolatry and immorality. Such things are contagious, and we must always be on our guard, fleeing from these things, listening only to Truth… lest we become who we once were. Lest I become who I once was. Blessed are we who call upon His name, that He may arm us with the strength and defense necessary to overcome this world. This we cannot do on our own. Many have tried, all have failed. All except the Father’s perfect lamb, my LORD Jesus Christ, who is God. Thus, this still was the work of His power. I will, therefore, do everything [throughout my educational journey] by His counsel and Will. This means continually praying that He reveals the plans He has set. This means that if He pulls me one way, I obey—even if I do not understand. Even if fear tries to take hold of me. I am not certain where the LORD will lead me in these next few years. But in my preparations for nursing school, reviewing content on human anatomy and physiology—the very work of His breath—my awe [of God] has only grown. Called to be a lamp, on this journey I will not cover the light of Christ that shines within me. I give my complete will to loving each person I encounter as Jesus loves them, realizing that most will not love me. Nursing is a career of service. We are called to be servants of Christ. We serve Christ by serving each other; that the last may be first, and the least, greatest. I know this path is endowed with hardship, before one even steps into the workforce, beginning in school. The curriculum is arduous, the exams are daunting. Then, healthcare is full of sorrow and agony; situations in which one may feel powerless to do any good. But the work is important, not everyone is cut out for such a task, not everyone is strong enough. But the LORD is, and through Him I can do anything set before me. Amidst the despair in healthcare, also is there so much joy. Injuries are healed, illnesses cured, and new life born. We brought suffering and death into the world, but God is the one who brings the good—all good things are of Him. So on this journey, it is He whom I will trust.

There is one book which has completely transformed my life and my goals: the Bible. My mother is Catholic, but growing up, I never came to know the Lord. His law was always written in my heart, of course. Despite the mistakes I’ve made and ruinous paths I’ve walked, never has my inner compassion for others died. The Bible taught me who I am (1 John 3:1-2) and following the Lord has so fanned the flames in my heart that burn to serve others. Throughout all of primary school, I have held an affinity for science and medicine. Both of my parents are nurses, and I was further exposed to the medical field during cancer treatment at the age of 7 (ten years ago). Many “hate” hospitals, but oddly for me, I’ve always loved them, finding sort of comfort in the environment and fascination in the work. Again, some children harbor a frivolous detestation of babies, “they’re needy, loud, dirty.” But since I was small, I have always loved them and their darling preciousness. It now seems that so many things have fallen together in order to bring me to where I stand today. I’ve been filled with the desire to pursue a career in neonatal nursing—I see such a privilege in it, that I may be able to serve God’s most innocent and vulnerable children. Most all of these babies’ parents will be terribly distressed, but I feel strongly that my empathetic nature might be of good use to provide them with comfort and understanding. At times when I was considering alternate career fields in aviation, marketing, and even still medicine, I chased money. The projected income was often my greatest attraction to a certain career, or determined whether or not I would consider it. The Word of the Lord and partnership with Him changed this in my heart—I had not possessed the understanding that greed hid in the background of my ambitions or plans. It was not obvious, my intentions were not wicked, but had not light been shed on those aspects human nature, I might have fallen down a ruinous road. This I cannot know for sure, but what I do know is that in the pursuit of righteousness, all will work out for the good (Romans 8:28). It has been promised. My education will give me the ability and knowledge to fulfill the duties placed upon neonatal intensive care nurses. These babies haven’t yet had their chance at life and should need good-willed, capable, altruistic, and compassionate individuals to help them achieve that chance. Henceforth, may God, by the help of the greatest book ever formed, shape me into the person I must be—so to use me for this purpose.