Soon after beginning nursing school, I quit my job at Best Buy and began working full time as a nurse tech at a local hospital. This was my first working encounter with the ER & boy was I IN LOVE 💜 we’ve sort of been inseparable ever since. 5/14

In 2014, I graduated nursing school with honors. Deep down I still longed to be a physician, but I just didn’t think my life circumstances would allow it. However, I always knew I wouldn’t stop there. I just had no clue what the end would be. 6/14

After nursing school I applied to and was accepted into the Doctor of Nursing Practice - FNP program. I was ecstatic. However, after a semester, I couldn’t ignore the deep desire I had to become a doctor. I withdrew from the FNP program and decided to go to medical school 7/14

I switched to working as a “weekender” ED nurse (worked every single weekend for 1.5 years) and began taking 18+ credit hours at a time to finish my pre-reqs (I needed essentially every class) 8/14

I watched lots of Khan Academy videos and studied super hard for the MCAT the summer of 2016. Interestingly enough my biggest stressor was I couldn’t afford to take it twice. Lots of grueling hours spent studying 🤯 9/14

I was accepted into medical school in the Fall of 2016. Btw. My then 5 year old took that admissions head shot for me 😂 a sign to always make do with what you’ve got. Couldn’t afford a fancy headshot 🤷🏽‍♀️ oh well 10/14

Medical school was ROUGH. I spent hours upon hours studying every single day. I missed my family. I felt like i was missing out on so much. Lots of tears shed and sleepless nights. 😔 11/14

On top of medical school, I somehow (really no clue how looking back) managed to continue working as an ED RN in the states only Level 1 Trauma Center. (see, the ER & I are literally inseparable) 12/14

During my 3rd of medical school, in the middle of my surgery rotation & a global pandemic, we welcomed our sweet AJ. He has changed our life for the better and we can’t imagine life without him. 13/14

As you can see it’s been quite the adventure. Here’s a reminder to appreciate your journey. Every season serves a purpose. 💜 14/14