Good Monday afternoon, all! I wanted to share a little bit about my life as a college student. Many people are aware that I'm a nursing student, but they don't know that the end goal is to be my son's nurse. Let me explain. Before I started working for a home health company, I had no idea that there were clinicians such as nurses, PT's, OT's, and others that would actually go into a patient's home to work with them. I was only 18 at the time I started working for home health as a clerk, so now I'm more knowledgable as far as the behind the scenes goes for home health. There are many rules, regulations, and certain precautions (especially now with COVID) that clinicians must take when entering a patient's home. Before Leo, the goal was to be a PEDS nurse at a hospital. I wanted to work the floor and had NO desire to work for a home health agency. Yet, with Leo's circumstances, there is a way for me to be my son's nurse and work for a home health agency. So pretty much get paid for what I'm already doing now. To share a little bit of my current experiences with school, I am completing the last of my pre-requisites for an RN program this semester, but I have been on the LPN waiting list for almost a year now at Clark State Community College. Honestly it's whatever program will take me first is the one that I'm going to stick with. (IT'S SO TEMPTING TO JUST GET A $20,000 LOAN TO GO TO FORTIS OR HONDROS then finish next year, but you're girl doesn't have that kind of money) Ideally, I'd love to get into the LPN program this 2021 Spring semester, and after 2 semesters be hired to be Leo's nurse. Then continue my education while working as one of his nurses. Isn't it so cool that they give you that opportunity?? It blew my mind when they told me that I can finish school and get paid to be a stay at home mom. Yet, I don't mean to downplay the role as a caregiver to a child like Leo. Our current home health nurse (who is a complete angel) stated that Leo is their agency's most unstable case. My first thought was, meh... Really? Because I have been with him since birth, I know him, I know when he's getting sick, I know what triggers him, what will cause him to get sick, and what to do in emergency situations. So with the knowledge that I've acquired of taking care of him for 18 months, I can't wrap my mind around the fact that he is the "most unstable" case. Yet, it's true. One trip to the ER, I explained to the nurse that I had to give Leo emergency breaths all the way to the ER as his oxygen level plummeted. She just looked at me like I was crazy and even said that she would think I'd be more rattled. I never am because I have had quality training, and I know my son. But like I said, that's not a reason to underestimate the skill it takes to care for Leo. I will say. If it wasn't for Leo, I'm not sure I would be finishin nursing school. I am comfortable with my job, I love my hours, and it gives me OK pay for not having a degree. I am not grateful that my son has had to go through so much, but in a way I am happier with myself after being given this great motivation to finish school. I'd do anything for my child, and finishing nursing school is something I owe to both him and myself. If you are in a similar situation as me, I would highly recommend you consider working towards your LPN. Even if your child isn't in as extreme circumstances as Leo, I think it's a great option to be with your special needs kiddo if they require home health. Well that's a little bit about me and the student life. I only do it part time, but it's HARD balancing everything out. I'm not saying it's easy. Be ready to have even later nights and less time for yourself, but it will be worth it in the next year or two. I'll be sure to keep you all in the loop in the next couple months as I get further into the program!
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AuthorPresley T. Cruz Archives
January 2021
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