Nicole's Journey

  • Nicole was born

    Nicole was born
    Little girl with soon to be big dreams was born, destined to be a nurse.
  • High School Graduation

    High School Graduation
    By the time high school ended I had become a CNA and was in the LVN program.
  • LVN School

    LVN School
    Finished the transition classes from HS to my LVN program. Became a full-time LVN student.
  • Finished LVN School

    Finished LVN School
    Just after my 19th birthday I graduated from my VN program
  • Passed NCLEX

    Passed NCLEX
    Took my NCLEX in Feb of 2012 and passed, received my licensed in March.
  • 1st job

    Got my first job EVER, as a LVN working in a skilled nursing facility.
  • started to pursue RN....

    started to pursue RN....
    Started to look into RN programs, but found out I was pregnant. Then had my first baby
  • "Big Move"

    First time leaving the IE. I moved to Northern California with my fiancé, stated working in Urology with an amazing surgeon. Started looking into RN programs again, but I became a victim of DV and moved back to SoCal.
  • ER

    ER
    After a couple of employment changes I found the department that stole my heart. Working in the ER showed me that is where I wanted to be. There was nothing like my ER family.
  • Job change

    After working the the ER, got pregnant AGAIN and decided to go work for Kaiser due to my pregnancy complications I couldn't keep working in the ER.
  • Baby #2

    Baby #2
    Had my second baby girl and couldn't have been happier. Was engaged and set to get married to my new June of 2019
  • CPR Outside of work

    CPR Outside of work
    My daughter had an anaphylactic event and I had to perform CPR on her. This was a moment I was grateful for my ER experience because I believe it helped me save my daughter's life. From this moment I knew I wanted to work in ER, but pediatrics.
  • More Drama for Nikki

    More Drama for Nikki
    I broke up w my fiancé 1 month before our wedding, became a single mom to 2 kids. Life just seemed impossible
  • Covid 19 Pandemic

    Covid 19 Pandemic
    The pandemic hit and I was working long hours, short staffed and overall fearful during this time. Burnout started to kick in and nursing did not feel the same.
  • bought my 1st home

    bought my 1st home
    Bought my 1st home as a single mom of 2. Knew that I had to go back to school to provide a better life for my girls.
  • Injury

    Injury
    I got hurt at work and tore my rotator cuff. Taking me off of work for an extended period of time.
  • Serenity Anaphylaxis Episode

    Serenity Anaphylaxis Episode
    For the 4th time my daughter had another anaphylactic event. Showing me more that we need amazing pets nurses.
  • Finished With Prerequisites

    Finished With Prerequisites
    Finished all my prerequisites, began looking for a RN program. Did not get into RCC, private schools were too expensive. Gave up on my RN dream
  • Surgery Time

    Surgery Time
    After failed PT and over a year in time without improving, I had to get my rotator cuff surgically repaired. My first surgery and by far my most painful experience.
  • Returned to KP

    Returned to KP
    Returned to work after my shoulder surgery and realized I NEEDED to go back to working in the ER. I did not want to work at KP in urgent care and I needed freedom with my schedule.
  • Returned to my ER family

    Returned to my ER family
    Started back in the ER at the county hospital, had freedom with my schedule. This is when my managers told me I had to finish my RN. So I looked for another program.
  • Serenity can't stay out of the ER either

    Serenity can't stay out of the ER either
    Serenity went into acute respiratory distress and spent 6 days in the hospital. My passion for pediatrics grew during this hospital stay because the peds nurses made a difference in how she viewed the hospital. I KNEW I needed to be the ER nurse that put kids at ease.
  • RN journey starts

    RN journey starts
    Found a RN program and began my journey to becoming an RN. Most perfect program for me and my family. Couldn't have been happier
  • RN new grad

    Intend on starting the New Grad program at RUHS in the emergency department. Will hope to get into trauma services and move to peds ER
  • BSN

    Anticipate on finishing my BSN, then I will work at Loma Linda University or CHOC as a Pediatric Trauma RN or PICU nurse
  • Teaching

    Pursue my deep desire to become a clinical instructor and teach future RN students.
  • FNP?

    Go back to school so I can Become a FNP and fulfill my desire to be a Nurse Practitioner