Forever Changed
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Earning my CNA’s was the most significant, life changing moment I’ve ever had. This journey began as a high school freshman and took four years to achieve. It was the first long-term goal I had ever set for myself at the age of fourteen. What I didn’t see coming was how it would change my life in such a positive way. As a high school teenager I took all the required Health Occupations classes in order to take Allied Health II my senior year. For me those years drug on so slowly as I was impatient and always wishing I could fast-forward my life. For as long as I can remember I wanted to have a career in the health care field. In the beginning my reasons were that I could make good money and I could wear cute scrubs. If that sounds a little selfish and immature, it’s probably because it was. One by one the high school years passed as I stayed focused on my goal. When senior year finally came I was the closest I had ever been to making it happen.
Clinicals began and it was the most exciting learning experience that I had ever had. You never knew what was going to happen. Every day was something new and challenging. I found myself looking forward to the next day. Who would I meet? What would I do to get to help somebody? Being exposed to so many new things was exciting and I became more interested every day. As I worked with EMS, hospitals, and an Alzheimer’s unit at an assistant living facility, I was able to get a feel of what I liked and what I absolutely loved. Slowly and in subtle ways my reasons for pursuing a health care career changed. These jobs were about a lot more than money or a cute uniform.
The day quickly came for me to take my state test. Although I was prepared I was extremely nervous. This was something I had worked so hard for and meant everything to me.
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