last.

my last day of nursing school. 

it finally came. 

it's so crazy to think because i remember sitting in anatomy thinking  

to myself how i could even get into the program to begin with. 

this journey has been a long one.

but most of all it's been a journey i've never expected to happen. 

no i wasn't that girl who always knew she wanted to be a nurse.

i was the girl who wanted nothing more than to be a marine biologist sitting on a boat

staring at the ocean.

then i decided spanish fork, utah probably wouldn't offer me any of that anytime soon.

and my mom said i would probably wind up alone on a boat for years.

understandable.

so then i decided i wanted to become a veterinarian.

it was like home to me.

i was a veterinary technician assistant for a time and could not have been happier.

i received a scholarship to college and took it.

there is studied veterinary science. 

i slowly realized that the classes were making what i loved so much less and less fun.

so i decided i needed to find somewhere where i was passionate.

something i knew i could do and had experience with.

then it hit me.

i wanted to become a physician assistant in dermatology. 

i wanted to be able to help people who had suffered from bad acne and scars and so on.

like i had.

i knew i could help someone like that.

plus microbiology and physiology were amazing classes that sucked me in.

before i knew it i got engaged. got married. and had dax.

i was on pause for minute.

then i decided.

i had to do something that made me happy.

and that was it.

so i decided to go to veterinary technician school. 

as soon as i decided that. 

reality set in.

yes i wanted to be happy.

but i had a family to take care of now.

i had no idea what to do.

i was talking to my dad one day and he suggested nursing.

i thought for a minute and i knew it was something i could do

i had previous biology experience and felt that i knew those things well.

but then my mom also said something to me.

you have a really special talent to help people.

and especially in our family have you been able to use it.

not very many people have this special type of caring for someone. 

i thought even longer and felt like it was worth a shot.

i could do it. 

i did all the hard work and got in.

and as every semester went on.

i fell more and more in love with this profession.

i didn't even know that was possible.

seriously. 

i was so grateful to myself for deciding to take this journey. 

the experiences i had at times i felt were meant to be.

every aspect of what nurses are and do i fell in love with.

so here i am. 

i graduate in 18 days. 

i am honored enough to be speaking at my graduation.

i am also honored enough to have created our presentation at graduation.

i was honored enough to be class representative and NSNA vice president and president. 

and i loved every second of those roles. 

i know i will bawl my eyes out because the friends i have made will be lifelong.

this journey was not only amazing but one that will never be forgotten.

we went through something so hard, crazy, trialing, wonderful, enjoyable, insane, incredible, and thrilling

that not very many people will understand.

our nursing school jokes will never get old. 

and i might need a few more these next couple weeks than ever.

i will miss every second of it and as crazy as i sound...

would do it all over again.

now onto my state boards 

and passing them.

i can not wait until that beautiful RN can be signed after my name. 

here we go. 

- h