Why nursing?!

After graduating from Penn State in 2015 with a double degree in Psychology and Criminology, I found myself lost in trying to figure out what career I wanted to pursue. I took a year off to find what my interest where, I knew I have a passion for helping others and putting a smile on one's face BUT having a career sitting and listening to people's problems would not suit me. I am more hands on and like to be on my feet. Also, I am intrigued by personality disorders and mental illness and want to help those that are stigmatized by society and help integrate them into society and let them know their illness will not win and they can continue to live a healthy life. So, the idea came across my mind to become a psychiatric nurse instead of a psychologist that specializes in treatment of mental illness; the schooling for nursing is much shorter than the 8-10 years needed for a psychologist. As a psychiatric nurse, I am applying the knowledge of psychology and treating individuals with mental illness with a more hands on approach. I know psychiatric nursing will be challenging because you never know what you're getting but at the same time I am a Gemini and have multiple personality changes throughout the day so I will adjust LOL.





With that idea in mind, I started applying for entry level hospital jobs and started by first job as a hostess working in dietary. I was extremely nervous and was thinking can I work in a hospital and see things without getting grossed out. I began working and loved it instantly, I loved talking with the patients along with getting knowledge from the nurses and other health staff around me. Also, receiving motivation from patients telling to pursue nursing and that I am in the right place due to my personality and how compassionate I am, that gave me a extra umph that maybe I am in the right career path. Moreover, I started researching accelerated nursing programs along with taking prerequisites at CCP because I have a BA instead of BS. While working at the hospital, I was taking sciences courses then I came across Widener. I chose Widener because it was night classes which allowed me to work during the day, it was convenient and not a far commute. 2018 was an exciting year for me, I started a new position at the hospital working as a Patient Service Associate(PSA) then got accepted into Widener's accelerated nursing program two months later; I was ecstatic and anxious to see what nursing school is about along with preparing for a stressful two years. Currently, I am in my second semester and starting clinical which  I am excited for because I miss being on the floors with the patients.