I have always been a caregiver. I stayed home with my children for 16 years and loved every moment of it. When it came time to focus on myself and explore a career, I knew caring for others was in my DNA, so I started as a phlebotomist. Many people fear having their blood drawn. My goal was to replace this fear with a better experience, so the next time it would be easier. After this, I took a job as a traveling medical assistant. I would go to patient’s homes to provide care, meeting the patients at their level and comfort zone. I still wanted to help more, so I jumped into the nursing field.
I decided to attend Hondros College of Nursing because their flexible class schedule enabled me to still care for my daughter during the day.
If you have the love and desire to help and care for others, then there is no better field than nursing. With this program came new priorities. This included adapting to the discipline of saying no to certain plans and yes to studying. I was sure to practice giving myself some grace. I tend to be strict with myself regarding grades and knowledge of the content. This is all new to me, I am allowing myself time to grow and learn.
Bonnie Ragan is a student in the Practical Nursing Program at our Akron campus.