what i know now
nurse
age: 24
hometown: Daphne, AL
career: I am a Registered Nurse at Jackson Hospital in the Intensive
Care Unit. My day-to-day job consists of assessing, monitoring, and
managing the care of critically ill patients. As an ICU nurse, it is my
responsibility to know and understand how to properly and safely care
for patients, to be able to identify any acute changes in conditions, and
to collaborate with according health care members.
education: My first year of college, at Troy University, was full
of fun, between moving away and gaining independence, to working
full time until I began the nursing program. AUM was a much smaller
campus, which allowed me to focus more on my school work and
commute back and forth and work. Overall, I believe the best thing
about college is learning a lot about yourself. You really learn how to
balance your responsibilities with a newfound independence.
growing up: My parents always pushed me to do my best in
school and to never settle. I can recall getting a B on an assignment
and feeling happy but my parents saying. "Well you could have gotten
an A,” never in a rude way, but always in a manner to tell me to push
myself to be the best I can be. They were always proud no matter
what. Looking back, I am thankful they instilled a strong work ethic
at a young age and taught me to always work hard for what I want. I
couldn't have made it without them.
calling the shots
cara
darnell
eye opener: College professors are very different than high
school teachers! The main difference is that attending class in college
won't be mandated, but if you choose not to go, the professors don't
mind choosing to fail you without a heads up. Don't expect to skip
your music appreciation class for two months straight and still be able
to show up and pass the final. It doesn't work like that…and that’s
coming from someone who tried!
secret to success: I credit the constant support and
encouragement from my parents and husband. They have always
supported my decisions over the years and let me know when I
needed to become more focused on my goals, and they were never
afraid to tell me the reality of the world and what they expected of me.
They always believed in me and exemplified what a true relationship
and support system looked like.
can’t live without
advice for teens: Don't let your high school drama follow
you into college. Ask yourself often, "Will this matter or benefit me
in five years?" Don't be afraid to put yourself out there or be afraid of
rejection. Always pursue what you want most in life!
1. My husband and family
2. My dogs
3. Buffalo chicken
advice for parents: Let your kids make their own career
downtime
My favorite thing to do outside of work is
makeup—I spend entirely too much money on it!
My husband and I are also big movie fanatics.
choices even if it is different from your own, and don't push too hard
to make them feel like they must immediately attend college. I think
it is okay to take a little time to figure out what someone may want to
do for the rest of their life, because that is a large decision to make at
17-18 years old.
future focus: I would like to return to school to become a Nurse
Practioner. But being a nurse of only 2 years, I am still learning and
enjoying my role as an RN.
8 |
Summer 2018
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