My New Journey
Life right now is not what I expected it to be after I graduated. To sum up the past few months in a simple statement: I am going to nursing school. Yep, you read that correctly. Nursing. Nothing like graduating with a BA degree in Public Relations and going to nursing school but here we are.
I made this decision in August with the support of my mom. With my unsuccessful job search throughout this summer I felt unmotivated and disliked my degree even more. There were many moments I broke down and cried of frustration. I had always heard stories of people with jobs no where near their undergrad degrees. I thought that was so bizarre and I was surely going to get a job in my field right after college. However, that is not the case. It has been kind of humbling and a huge reality check to what life and adulthood is really like.
My major wasn’t bad and I made fantastic grades but I was never passionate about it. I stuck with it because I like to write as y’all know. The major did incorporate writing but it was also very broad too. The broadness had its pros and cons. The part I didn’t like was creating campaigns for brands which was basically the majority of my curriculum. Who cares if a tater tot brand gives a crap about social issues. I mean that’s great and all but too political for me. I buy the brand because it tastes good, not for its political viewpoint. I don’t want my career to be brainstorming advertising themes for brands. I want to be putting something into the world that is positive, where I know I am helping something. I think I want to be a travel nurse and then eventually work with babies.
There are several reasons why I decided to give nursing a shot. My mom, two brothers and sister-in-law are all nurses. They love what they do, get paid well, and have a decent schedule. No 9 to 5 office job in sight. Another reason I was drawn is the job stability. Nurses are always in demand, especially now. I will get paid well and I can find a job anytime, anywhere. Also, I’ve realized I am very task-oriented and my brain does well with concrete facts rather than theories and creativity which is what my curriculum consisted of. Sure it is going to be tough and dirty but I am up for it. Plus I am going to look super cute in scrubs, let’s just be honest. I am very excited for this new journey.
I got accepted into Midway University and began one of my pre-requisites this week. Nursing school won’t begin until next fall so I have less than a year to go till things really kick into gear. The couple of classes I take this upcoming spring semester will be challenging, but it will be nice because I only have those classes to focus on, unlike my undergrad days.
I know this is all part of God’s plan. I truly feel like this is what I’m meant to do. I have the support of my family, boyfriend and best friends to help me get through it. I needed some time after graduation to catch my breath and figure things out. I think everyone needs a gap year after graduation to breathe. We have all been going to school for 16 plus years without a true break. I guess my advice if you graduated and are struggling to figure out what to do or are about to graduate, relax. It’s okay if you don’t land a job the day after you get your diploma. Everything will fall into place.
I got a part-time job at Orangetheory Fitness as a sales associate. I started in August and it has been such a positive addition to my life. I love my co-workers and manager. Not only do I work there but I also workout there so I basically live at the studio. I get paid well and enjoy my shifts because the girls are just so great. I plan to keep this job as long as I can until nursing takes over my life.
I recently adopted a little kitty a few weeks ago from the Lexington Humane Society. He is a black, short-haired male named Spook. Spooky Bob Schlinger Webb. “Bob” was his original name so we had to keep it in honor of his kennel days. The poor guy has already been to the vet twice and is going for a third time today in the 3 weeks that I have had him. He has a giant abscess on his head. I am sure this is going to cost me a pretty penny later today. He is worth it though. He brings me comfort and company because it gets lonely living by yourself, especially when you are in a long-distance relationship.
My boyfriend and I are going on month 11 of dating and month 6 of long-distance. Since then, I have discovered that my new love language is ‘quality time.’ Makes sense. Whenever he visits I just want to lay with him for hours and do nothing or do everything we possibly can in a weekend’s time.
Our long-distance relationship should be called “mid-distance.” I heard this term on TikTok of course. To northern Kentucky from Lexington is only about an hour and fifteen minutes. That does not mean it’s easy. I think being mid-distance is almost worse because you expect to see them every weekend. Sometimes we don’t see each other for 2-3 weeks with the way our plans align. I am eager for my classes to start so I can get back into a routine and have something to focus on.
With this new career change I have wondered if I will regret or miss doing PR. Probably not. I did enjoy the social media side of it and writing blog posts but I can still do all this myself. That’s the beauty of this plan! I get to continue blogging and posting on my own social media all while being a smoking hot nurse. Maybe my new personal brand will be a travel nurse blogger where I share my schedule and experiences in cities I get assigned to work in! I think that wold be sick. As long as I don’t start having kids, I will have some freedom after I get my degree and get a little bit of experience.
I am nervous but very excited for this new journey I am beginning. I can’t wait to see what it brings me.