The story continues...

        After graduating from Illinois State University in 2003, I decided to move to the Chicago area to be closer to my long distance boyfriend at the time (now my husband, good choice). I began working for Steak n Shake in 2003 as a manager.  As many of you already know my father worked for Steak n Shake for twenty-five years before passing away suddenly in 2002.  My father was very successful with the company and the outpouring of people at his visitation was living proof of the amount of lives he touched.  The reason I chose to pursue a career at Steak n Shake was because I felt the need to carry on my father's legacy.  I quickly progressed through the ranks and ended up running my own unit as a general manager within three years. After working there for five years, I realized that although I was successful, I did not have the same passion my father had for the job. I thought about what type of legacy I would want to leave and I knew that it was caring for others. I put in my two week notice and on my last day received two letters from upper management, stating that they thought the healthcare field would be a great fit and thanked me for being a valued employee. I learned that life sometimes brings challenges, but if we endure those challenges we will open a world of opportunity.
         I have chosen a career in nursing because I know that it will satisfy my love for helping others. Nothing satisfies me more than to see someone smile amidst their pain because of something I say or do. Nursing also offers many options for career development. As a nurse I will have the ability to teach classes, to help with the shortage of nursing teachers. I will have the opportunity to work in a hospital, doctors office, school, or even in home healthcare. Being a person who loves diversity I thought nursing would be a perfect fit.
         Amidst seeking advice from the man upstairs, my husband was offered a job that would double his salary. This was it...it was my turn to pursue what I loved. I left Steak n Shake and began taking courses at the College of Dupage. To my disbelief I received A's in both of my Anatomy and Physiology classes and B's in the other science courses I had to take. It was as if I was a changed person. How could I possibly have gotten a D in the same course ten years earlier? I like to attribute my success to maturity! Being eighteen and on my own for the first time was not exactly conducive to studying. I am still not sure why we send our children out on their own to decide for themselves what they wish to do for the rest of their lives. Note to self, listen to your mother! Mother's are always right! 
        After being accepted to nursing school in Illinois, my husband received a job transfer to Florida. Who would say no to eighty degree weather in December? Not me! We made the journey to this beautiful place. Over the last year I have been in a tangled web trying to get accepted to nursing school. Finally, the week of my birthday in September, I got the acceptance letter to Broward College and so the journey shall begin January 2011. Until then I shall inundate you with useless information!