When I started nursing school, I always thought I would go on to get my nurse practitioner license. I liked the idea of having more autonomy in helping someone with their health goals. But, shortly after I started my nursing career in a pediatric intensive care unit, I soon realized I didn't need to become a nurse practitioner! I LOVED what I was doing! Working in a PICU is a stressful place for sure. God has definitely gifted me with the ability to handle that type of stress and provide quality care to not only the patient but also the family of the patient. Meeting someone where they are at in such a stressful time while using the gifts God has given me brings me immense joy and satisfaction! So, I had no desire whatsoever to go back to school to get my master's degree when I didn't need it to keep doing what I was already doing - being a great bedside nurse. I knew God would have to really get my attention somehow if I was ever going to consider working somewhere other than the PICU. So, I've kept plugging away at taking care of the sickest of the sick. As time as gone on, things have changed a little where I work. The unit has grown from a 15 bed unit to a 41 bed unit. It's not the close family feel it used to have. We have made some amazing advances in the quality of care we provide!!! My skills have grown and I've been able to impact the lives of my coworkers and those I care for and I wouldn't change that for anything. However, my priorities and passions have started to change just a little. I still LOVE what I do as a PICU nurse! The chance to walk alongside someone when their loved one is super sick is a privilege. However, along with the growth of the unit, I am starting to feel my passion shrinking just a little. I think part of that is because I don't get to train new nurses as much as I used to. With the unit being as big as it is and because I'm also an ECMO nurse, I just don't get the opportunity. I miss that a lot actually!! I have come to realize how much I enjoy teaching others what I know. I love to work one on one with someone to teach them, encourage them, and help them be better as a nurse than I am. I have also found something I've become super passionate about. That is essential oils. I know many of you that will read this already know that I love essential oils and will talk about them any chance I can. But, do you really understand why I love them and why I'm passionate about them? Some might say I'm just trying to sell something, I've been brain-washed, I'm into snake oils, or I'm just nuts. Let me set the record straight: I'm not just trying to sell something. I truly believe there is a better way to help live a more natural life by ridding our homes of toxic chemicals and using natural, plant-based products and giving our bodies the support they really need to live the life we were meant to live. I haven't been brain-washed and am not into snake oils. And, I don't think I'm nuts. As a PICU nurse, I have to know about the details. I have to really use my brain to see the whole picture when it comes to caring for someone who is critically ill. Everything we do or don't do affects their lives. I have to make sure at work that I'm using the medicines and treatments safely and correctly in order for them to be effective. The same goes for essential oils. I want to make sure I educate myself as much as possible about essential oils so that I use them correctly, and can educate others correctly. Because, even natural, plant-based products and essential oils can be harmful if not used safely and correctly. So, when I realized that I really did enjoy educating others, I decided I wanted to start pursuing the chance to educate others on the benefits of pure essential oils. Well, if I'm going to educate others, I must first educate myself. So, while I said years ago that I would never go back to school, I've done just that. I have started a program to become a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist. I want to make sure that I know as much as I can about essential oils so that I'm educating people properly and not just spreading misinformation. There is a lot of misinformation circulating around the internet about essential oils. So, I am doing what I can to educate myself appropriately on the safe use of pure essential oils. This hasn't been an easy decision and it is taking a lot of focus. But, thankfully my husband is 100% supportive of this as is the rest of my family.
I'm not leaving my current job any time soon as I still love being a PICU nurse. However, I now have something else that is sparking a lot of interest and passion. My desire is that I will be able to walk along-side people and find out where they are coming from, learn about their lives, and see if I can help them on their journey towards living a life of Wellness, Purpose, and Abundance!
