Well, we all know I'm not cool by any stretch of the imagination, but I did consider myself "old" when I felt The Lord calling me to go back to school.
When it all began:
I felt The Lord stirring my heart just months after I had graduated from Baylor (sorry Mom and Dad). I was content doing what I was doing in the financial sector, but my heart was not in it. I tried to ignore the feelings of being called to be a nurse, but it kept coming back.
Mr. Riley and I talked about it before we got married and fairly often after. It wasn't until 2010 that we both really took it seriously and I began researching area nursing schools and what pre-reqs I'd need to get in (btw, if you're a business major you'll need to take every science class ever imagined). I took my first prerequisite in the fall of 2010 online while I was still working full-time.
Timeline:
January 2011: quit full-time job and take pre-reqs full time.
July 2011: move from Aubrey to Boerne. Researched new nursing schools
August 2011: started final pre-req class
Dec 2011: get accepted into nursing school
Jan 2012: begin nursing school
Dec 2012: graduate from part one of nursing school.
Jan 2013: begin part two of nursing school
Feb 2013: sit for NCLEX-PN and officially become an LVN
Aug 2013: begin working as LVN doing pediatric home health
March 2014: graduate from nursing school
April 2014: graduation ceremony. My entire family came to celebrate this special occasion, and some of our closest friends came, too! (Somehow that's the only pic I have)
May 2014: sit for NCLEX-RN and officially become and RN.
July 2014: get my dream job of Labor and Delivery nurse! ( I start in August)
I would've never imagined that I'd go back to school when I'm 30, but The Lord had different plans and I'm so thankful I didn't ignore them. It's been a long and tough road, but we've been provided for every step of the way. Mr. Riley has been the most incredible supporter, encourager, and believer in me through it all and I couldn't have done it without him.
I think I have one more round of school left in me: I want to get my Masters, but for now I'll just enjoy being a full-time working wife again.
Have you ever been called out of your comfort zone and taken that uncomfortable leap to the unknown?
If you feel your heart being tugged on don't deny it...go for it!
And that's how I became NR, RN.
--And that's Life With the Riley's--
