The signs all pointed to the fact that I would enter the medical field in this lifetime. I was the weirdo who watched those surgery shows while pounding a bowl of Tin Roof sundae on the couch. I was the kid who told people she wanted to remove gall bladders and fix hernias. Who says that kind of stuff? I’m surprised I’ve ever had a friend. I job shadowed surgeons, vets, and got used to frequent doctor visits when I was in a cast six times my senior year (Can you say foot issues? I went to our winter formal in a wheelchair and you better believe I did wheelies!) Truly, the medical field is the family business for the ladies in my family. My grandma, mom, aunts, sister-in-law, and sister are all nurses (or in school to become one!) I grew up looking over my moms shoulder as she cracked open gigantic nursing books and taught us something about the human body. I grew up in a home that if you scraped your knee or thought you broke your foot, you were told you were fine (sorry, mom) because my mom had seen so much tragedy and loss, a little blood was no big deal. 

I’m a lot like my mom – in fact, the more I hear that as I grow up, the more it is a compliment. My mom is pretty amazing and being compared to her is like being compared to Mother Teresa and that is something I will accept with open arms.  Okay, back to the whole nursing thing. This week is National Nursing week and I didn’t want to forget it. I am surrounded by so many amazing nurses in my family and with my clients and friends. You guys rock, I hope you feel like every week is your week but especially this week. I want to bake you a cake and light a candle and throw some confetti in the air for y’all because you guys change the world. So why the heck did I never enter the medical field? Some of you know that I went to college declaring pre-med… well, that lasted a whole couple of months until I saw the classes I would have to take for the next four years. I quickly rescinded my medical school offer and opted for something a little more…. hmmm… fitting? Disclaimer: I chose communication – because let’s get serious, this girl likes to talk a lot. (Although I was totally on board with wearing scrubs for the rest of my life – they are like loose yoga pants, duh.) 

Anyways, I chose a different path and it’s something I never reconsidered. I’m the kind of girl that when I make a decision, I go after it whole heartedly. It’s funny now, when we all get together and all of the family nurses start speaking in another language that can only be described as a mix of morse code and gibberish… I just sit there and smile (while probably drinking a glass – or three – of wine.) I tease them that there should be no “shop talk” during family time but it’s impossible because when you love something you want to talk about it and they all love their jobs, which is pretty much the best thing ever. No, I didn’t go into the family business, I fired myself because it wasn’t the right fit. Sure, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. (RICE, anyone? Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation?) Yes, I know if there is ever a medical emergency at a family event, I will be in good hands. But what I think is more important beyond all of this is that the new family business is being happy – finding something you love and excel at and chasing that until you get to where you want to be. Yeah, that’s a job I can’t get fired from. 

Thank you, sweet ladies of my family, for your service! You make this world a happier and healthier place – you change lives. I’ll just be over here taking photos if you need me! 

It’s Friday – you should probably stay awhile. Click a link below:

• baby sister
• Med School Drop Out
• SURPRISE!!!! (No, I’m not pregnant)
• Jake + Jamie