Gina's Nursing Journey

By ginah
  • Childhood dreams

    Childhood dreams
    I was 10 years old and dreamed of being an accountant
  • Graduated High School

    I graduated high school with no real idea of what I was going to do with my life. I enrolled in basic classes at Palomar College.
  • Tragedy Struck

    My dad was in a life altering, near fatal, car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. My entire families lives were forever changed. I spent months visiting the hospital. That eventually led to 24/7 nursing care in our home. It was at that point that I first thought about being a nurse. My dad lived for about 2 years until he passed away.
  • Just Got Married

    Just Got Married
    Married my long term boyfriend Todd. He was in the Military so school was placed on hold as we were moving to Washington.
  • Moved back to California

    We got stationed back in San Diego! At this point my son was 7 months old. I needed to do something with my life. I saw a school for nursing so I went to inquire. While I was there they had two programs an LVN and an RN. I wanted to do the RN but I let them talk me out of it because the military would pay for a year long program which is what the LVN program was. So I started my journey to become an LVN.
  • Johnny was born

    Johnny was born
    My first son Johny was born. My sweet baby. Todd was gone a lot so I was basically alone and unable to go to school.
  • Got my LVN License

    Got my LVN License
    I got my license and started working! My very first job was at an assisted living Alzheimer's place. I worked various jobs throughout the years.
  • Moved to Hawaii

    Had to stop working and we moved to Hawaii with the military. During this time I took a lot of online college courses to get my general education completed with the thought of getting my RN.
  • Back to California

    Moved back to California. Eventually started to work within the military healthcare system. During this time I started to get serious about getting my RN. I enrolled with National and took my science courses at night. The only problem is that it is very hard to find a program to get in to and have a job that is willing to work around a school schedule. This was especially challenging with the military. They do not offer parttime.
  • Worse thing I have ever experienced

    Worse thing I have ever experienced
    Todd found out he had metastatic melanoma..........I spent the next few months taking care of him and our now son.
  • WORST DAY OF MY LIFE

    WORST DAY OF MY LIFE
    Todd passed away......I lived in a blur for the next few years. My sciences classes expired and I had to start over........
  • Period: to

    Feeling like I need a change

    At this point I was still working in the military hospital. I got in to an RN program and was so excited. Then I found out I was pregnant and decided to postpone. I ended up having a miscarriage and repeatedly tried to get back into that program. I was met with denial. That was so frustrating because I got in once.
  • Off to better things

    I eventually left the military and started with Kaiser. Was left wondering to myself why didn't I make that change sooner! All of my science courses were expired so I started to retake those so that I could open the door to finally getting my RN again. I was in a new relationship with a great man and was rebuilding my life.
  • Had my 2nd son Grayson

    Had my 2nd son Grayson
    My sweet baby G was born. He has lots of medical issues so that slowed down my school process a lot but was still slowly working towards it.
  • Period: to

    United University of Nursing

    I had gotten to a point where I was wondering if I would ever get my RN. Then I found United University of Nursing. Out of nowhere this school came to me! It was a dream come true! Close to home, great price. Everything was lining up! It was just a waiting game at this point.
  • Pass the NCLEX

    I will pass the NCLEX and get my license.
  • BSN BABY

    BSN BABY
    By 2026 I will have completed my BSN!!!!
  • Period: to

    Keep Going????

    I feel like I want to keep going......at this point why not???? I see my FNP in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a really close friend who made the transition and she motivates me so much. In my mind I want to work in oncology. We will see if my heart can take it.