What's New: Career Goals

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who had all these dreams. But then life got sort of comfortable.

College was really quite easy for me. Then I got into the career - and there were moments where I obviously struggled and said "This is REALLY hard", and perhaps I would come home some nights shedding a few tears because nursing can suck.

But the reality I found is -- as long as I worked a little harder than those around me -- it was pretty easy to advance and be known as a top performer.

So why go to grad school? Why become a Nurse Practitioner like I originally planned? Why not just sail through my career - stay comfortable - accept the opportunities I find - and just enjoy life?

The past few months have been kind of a struggle for me mentally. I work 40 hours a week. And life is busy! But my brain is feeling a little, well, under-used. (I don't even think "under-used" is a word. See?? I'm turning to mush!!)

There is this voice inside me saying "But it's so convenient! Suck it up. You work from home. Don't blow this".

But then there's that little girl that had big dreams and aspirations saying "Don't do what's easy! Do what makes you proud and happy."

Yes, I am admitting to voices in my head. ;) Voices that run through my head at 3 in the morning lately when I cannot sleep.

I kind of have been feeling as though "Abby" has lost her spirit lately. I've lost touch of my "go get 'em" attitude, and have become the girl that constantly chooses what is most convenient.

So after much research, and interviewing many different people....I have decided to rekindle my original dream of becoming a Nurse Practitioner!

So although it isn't going to be easy, I'm doing it. I have learned after much reflection that me as a person doesn't do so "great" when I'm not challenged enough. I thrive when I'm overwhelmed and busy. And this work-from-home job, although convenient, is just not giving me what I desire.

(You can say it....I probably sound like a millennial right now. I'll own it. But just so you all know, I am actually NOT a Millennial. I am a Generation Y.

To make the choice of getting my masters degrees, I looked into:

-cost of school

-reviews of school (these are obvious ones)

-length of school

-amount of hours of clinicals and classroom time

-average cost of daycare in your city

-a conversation with your spouse about putting kids in daycare

-how much of a maternity leave would I like to take if we were to have children, as that may affect my entrance into my career field or my schooling

-we don't even have kids and are not even close to having kids

-just submit your application and stop overthinking things already

I have to admit, and this is just between the girls...I am envious of the man in my life who kind of gets to look at a goal and go for it. And doesn't really blink an eye about the 1000 other "what-if's".

So here I go - applying to schools! My goal is to start in January. One of the schools I've already been accepted into has a waiting list, so I'm not guaranteed to begin in January.

I am so grateful for my work-from-home job with East Coast hours, where I am able to work from 6-2 or 7-3. This will give me the flexibility to spend my evenings studying - and still give me a little quality of life/sanity!

For the second time in 2016, I'm making a big decision and feel really at peace with it! (Decision #1 was to stay in Tucson after we sold our house, moved into an apartment, shipped our dog across the country, and I changed jobs. ).

Currently - May edition

I haven't blogged much - but the last time I did one of these, Maddy was 9 months old. It's really fun looking back on the things that were "stressors" to me at that time. Prior to that - my currently post was a pregnancy edition. So here goes May 2022. Maddy is almost a 15-month old and summer has set ablaze here in Tucson. Reading : I really wish I had a better answer for this one, but I have not been the best about reading lately. The only book I'm reading is "How to talk to your kids so they'll listen and listen so they'll talk". It is really good. Most of the book is geared more to school-aged kids, in my opinion. But it highlights some great communication skills with children to help them trust you as a parent to be open and honest. Eating: All the smoothies. It has been getting really hot here - and every day when we get home from our stroller run I make a smoothie for Maddy with whole milk, Fage, and fruit - and then a smoothie for...

30 Blogs: Something I'm Afraid of

This isn't a very difficult post for me to write about. I am such a "scaredy cat" about so many things. I could quite possibly turn this into a book. I was also the kid that wouldn't go on the monkey bars at school, out of fear that my arms may be ripped out of their sockets. I was the kid who got to the end of the diving board, and then shriveled into a ball at the end shaking in tears. I got to the top-climax spot on a roller coaster, and start saying "Oh my God, get me off this thing. I don't want to do it anymore! Get me off this thing!!" Then I went college, and majored in nursing. I leanred all the horrible ways one can reach multi-system organ failure. If I have too much coffee, and feel maybe the slightest heart palpitation - I am listening to my heart sounds with my stethoscope......... So here's my list of irrational some fears. ;) (some of these may be comical & pathetic to you):\ Heights Vomit (I've gotten better about th...

Let's try this again...

Last year we purchased soil, mulch, and all these plants that grow great in well-watered, rich-soiled areas. Then we went away for a weekend, and everything dried up like a prune. I was a bit disappointmented, as gardening is a hobby & passion of mine. In fact, I became quite frustrated with our hot climate. But we did some research on desert plants, and I found a new love! Desert plants are quite fascinating, actually. Their tough outer skin & small leaves result in maximum absorbtion of our spare water -- allowing them to thrive on little. They are also extremely regenerative. You can cut a branch or an arm off a cactus, and plant it in the ground somewhere else to create a new plant. So we found a very local cactus nursery last weekend, and got to work! Here are a few of the gems we planted. (These are pictures I've found offline, as I haven't taken proper pictures of our front yard yet due to the immaturity of our plants at this point) The Desert Barrel ...

Marlys said…

Well, you put it out there and I pray you get to start in January! Feeling stagnant is not good for the soul, so this is the best approach.
I hope you already feel empowered!

October 14, 2016 at 5:56 AM

Lisa's Yarns said…

I'm so proud of you for doing this! Now is the time since you don't have kids yet! And if you do have a child while you are in the program, you guys will figure it out. It is too bad that is women have to consider how kids will impact us more than men do but I guess that is just the reality of life. I think the fact that you are feeling the itch for something more is proof that this is the time to take on this challenge! I definitely felt that way in my late 20s when I got my MBA/CFA and was climbing the career ladder. These days I don't feel that burn to pursue more and more challenges and I am happy with a job that is challenging, but not overwhelming. So I am glad I put in the hard work during a phase in my life when I was thirsty for the challenge. It's a lot easier to put in the hard work when your heart is telling you to!

October 16, 2016 at 9:09 AM

Amber said…

This is so exciting! Congratulations!! That is awesome your job is flexible enough that you can choose to work whatever hours you need to in order to open up time for studying in the evenings!

October 17, 2016 at 12:02 PM

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