I worked every weekend as a student to help out at home with my parents. Students earned more hourly than aides. I had two girls that I needed to support because my ex-husband paid the lowest amount in child support allowed. He really did not have a lot of money either, so I can't fault him for the small amount of support. I worked all holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas when I went to school. The hospital policy could not make students work the holidays unless it was volunteered. Those were the only two days that I had off in the entire time I went to school.

If I was not busy at work, I studied. There just was not enough time to study the way one should. I went to class 5 days a week. I worked Friday nights and Saturday evenings and Sunday days. I was bound and determined to make something of myself for the sake of my children. Graduation finally came and went. Passed my boards in Little Rock, Ark.. You have to make at least 500 on the test and if you do, you never have to take boards again no matter what state you work in. To work in another state all you did was apply for a license.

There is 700 possible on the test. One girl got 700, the first ever in Ark. You waited on pin and needles for 6 weeks to find out what you made and if you passed. You leave the test room not knowing whether you passed or not. I still worked as a student 7 days a week. I finally got my results. I made 645 out of 700. I was second highest in our class. You now go for an interview with the Dean of Nurses. I got hired as a licensed nurse. Now I go to work as a nurse.

I graduated October 20th and I took a vacation one year after I finished school. I worked a little over 2 years before I had any REAL time off. I had a steady full time job. I had every fourth weekend and one week day off.

Would I go through that again. Sometimes I think No Way Buster, but then I think about the things I learned, the wonderful patients and employees I met. Yes, I guess I would go through it again, but not work like a slave. You learn more after you get out of school. You learn things that were never covered in class. Like how to deal with irate families, seeing some one die who had no family or not a chance to live, the people you learn to love, what happens when you make your first medication area, and the first oral hemorrhiodectomy you get from a doctor.

Nursing has it rewards as well as it's disappointments. You are helping people to get well, you see death, bloody patients from accidents, child abuse, gun shot wounds, burn patients, all which make up the life of a nurse. You see God's work in making miracles. You see the ones that God is calling home when you see that smile or out reached hand of a patient just before taking that last breath.

I choose a career that gave me an insight to the beautiful and to the ugliness of world. I am a nurse and I love it.