Caregiving Story

I'm only a 17-year-old high school graduate. Yes, I'm still young but I do have some experience under my belt. In my final year of high school, I took this class called Nursing Assistance which was offered by my school. When I first arrived to the class, which started at 6 a.m. daily and at 5:30 a.m. on clinical days, I was nervous going in there not knowing very much in the medical field. As the day continued, my brain was filled with much new knowledge and appreciation for nursing. Later on in the course, we started our clinicals, which were at a rehab facility right next to the hospital in Avondale. I was placed in the Alzheimer's Disease section where I got to do a lot of hands-on work, from changing briefs to taking patients vitals - the whole sha-bang! I personally loved it, I got to talk and hear some of the patients life stories and just really connected with some of them. The thing I got the most there was advice, lots of that from each and every patient. It was such an amazing feeling knowing I got to help them out even if its just listening to them talk about their day. I learned a whole new meaning of life and they opened up my eyes to a whole new and better world. Just to see them smile and laugh at me and just overall take their mind off of any problems they may have been experiencing was such an amazing feeling. I wouldn't trade it for the world. When the class and clinicals ended it was devestating to me.

All these friendships, these bonds I had made with the patients and nurses were coming to an end but would never fade.

I now am waiting for my certificate from the course so I can go take the state board test to become a Certified Nursing Aide and begin my journey in the medical field. I then plan to pursue my dream of becoming a R.N., but after I serve my country for 4-8 years. They say start dreaming at a young age and try hard to reach it. While I am still only 17-years-old, I am proud of myself for what I have accomplished so far and can only hope and work hard for my future.