I have always wanted to work in the medical feild, probably because my mom is an RN also. I grew up wanting to be a plastic surgeon. I got into my first year of school and was directed on another path. I felt a strong pulling to be a nurse, I never wanted to be a nurse I wanted to be the Doctor. But after a semester of feeling I was going in the wrong direction I signed up for nursing instead. Throughout my schooling I have always had a heart for missions and going to Africa to one day work in the medical tents. I really still have that dream but along the path of my schooling found another passion. I really became interested in the field of oncology and after taking care of a few of my family members with cancer, I decided this is what I was supposed to do. I have always felt comfortable around really sick people and have never worried what to say to someone who is dying or who is in pain, it kind of just comes. Well since moving to Florida I started my career in oncology. I knew God's hand was in it because new nurses usually do not get hired into oncology departments because of the training and experiance needed. I was lucky and interviewed with just the right person. I really found out how lucky I was while going through my hospital orientation with 50 other nurses, I was the only one being placed at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The hospital is located along with five other hospitals downtown Orlando. MDA is a leading hospital in research and treatment for cancer. I work on the 7th floor which is a chemotherapy and blood product floor. I have about 4-6 patients a day and go in at 6:30am -7:30pm. It is a long tiring day but I would do it everyday if I could. I care for patients with all types of cancers, all types of prognosis, and all types of treatments. I also take care of any age range because we are one of the best hospitals for cancer all ages are cared for. My youngest patients can be toddlers and my oldest can be 100 years old. I care for my patients in every way you can think. From giving them their medicinces, making sure they are eating enough, making sure they are not in too much pain, and emotionaly supporting them, and being a link between them and their doctor. If something is going wrong I am the first that is supposed to notice it and report it to the doctor. The hardest part of my job is giving people chemotherapy and blood transfusions because I have to make sure my calulations are correct so there is not a fatal mistake. All my daily duties are so exciting to me, I just love learning and being a part of someones life. Sometimes being a part of someones life means being there for them in the time of their death. I wish cancer was not even around but it will always be here and some people are going to die. I had to come to terms with that which was hard. I feel honored that I get to be with someone in their last hours of life. Some people hate that part of their job but I choose to accept it and be supportive to the person dying. I have held a couple of peoples hands as they take their last breath and I just think it is amazing that this person in their last moment of life wants "me" to hold their hand, wow what an honor. It will never be easy for me to sit with someone as they are dying but I do know that God has called me into the field of oncology, and I am so proud of what I do and honored to be working at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
