For the longest time, nursing school lived in the same category as "I'll get to it eventually."…read moreEventually turned into 6-7 years of postponing, doubting myself, and wondering if I was really cut out for it.
Ironically, what finally pushed me to take the leap was watching a coworker graduate from West Coast University. Did she vent about the program being stressful? Absolutely. Did she ever have a bad thing to say about the professors or staff? Not once.
That spoke volumes.
Nursing school isn't supposed to be easy. Caring for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives isn't easy, so why should the preparation be? Hearing about the challenges didn't discourage me, it reassured me that the program was doing exactly what it was meant to do.
So, after attending an information session for the second time in two years, I finally decided to stop flirting with the idea of nursing school and commit. What stood out to me immediately was the transparency! From day one, everything was laid out clearly: what was required for admission, what resources were available, and what steps needed to be taken to succeed. There were no surprises, no sugarcoating, just straightforward guidance and support.
Then began the adventure of getting all my "stuff" together.
I would be remiss if I didn't give a special shout-out to David Gallardo, who is low-key one of the biggest reasons my application was completed at all. During the application process, I was navigating some personal challenges while helping care for my mother. Throughout it all, David remained patient, encouraging, and consistently supportive. More importantly, he always started our conversations by asking how I was doing, not just where I was in the application process.
That may seem like a small thing, but it meant a lot. His kindness and reassurance gave me confidence when mine was running low. If first impressions truly matter, David was the perfect first impression of West Coast University.
Now, as I prepare to begin this journey, I won't pretend I'm not nervous. I have moments where I wonder whether I have what it takes. But I also know that West Coast University has already shown me that support, resources, and dedicated advisors are available every step of the way. At that point, the responsibility shifts to me to use those resources and keep moving forward.
So here I am, equal parts anxious and determined, looking forward to the long study sessions, sleepless nights, and study-group marathons. Two years from now, I plan to walk across that stage knowing that earning my degree wasn't easy, but it was worth it.
And when that day comes, I'll happily become an unofficial ambassador for West Coast University, completely pro bono lol. If I can help encourage even one person who has been sitting on the fence the way I did for 6-7 years, wondering whether they're capable or whether the timing is ever going to be right, then I'll gladly share my experience. Sometimes all it takes is seeing someone else take the leap to realize you can do it too.
For now, though, it's time to get to work.
See y'all in two years!
GM.
