Because Nursing Is In Your Blood

By Kathleen Colduvell RN, BSN, BA, CBC

My mom is a nurse. So are my aunt, my uncle, and three of my cousins. Needless to say, if someone ever gets hurt at a family reunion, we have it covered. 

But that doesn’t mean I was always destined to become a nurse. 

My Nursing Journey

At 18, I went to college determined to study pre-med. I planned to attend a top-notch medical school and change the world by saving one child at a time.

It was a lofty ideal. I never truly factored in the immense amount of work and time achieving my dream would require. 

I would have loved to be a doctor, but I also wanted to take part in college life, play soccer, and become a member of the dance squad. I was also a thousand miles away from my family. 

My priorities were shifting, and a new dream was needed.

A New Calling

During high school, I worked as a freelance sports reporter for local newspapers and had earned the respect of trained journalists. 

I enjoyed reporting and decided that I could make a career of it. With the guidance of a trusted professor, I switched my major to English with a focus in journalism. I continued to take biology classes --  my interest in human anatomy could not be denied. 

But my English degree didn’t take me as far as I’d hoped. 

I graduated college in a field that was changing. One reason I loved being a reporter was the respect for old school elements like voice recorders, pen and paper, and a good old-fashioned newspaper. But reporting was changing and the focus had shifted to online media with a cell phone and text message interviews.

Despite my love for journalism, I longed for something more fulfilling. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. I regretted not working harder, focusing more, and continuing on the pre-med path.  

I decided to go back to my roots and pursue something that had always been in my blood – nursing. 

Ultimately, I attended Villanova University’s second degree nursing program, which was one of the best decisions of my life. After 16 intense months, I graduated with honors and was ready to conquer the nursing profession.

Nursing -- The Right Choice

Now, nine years later, I can say without question that I chose the right profession. 

Was I destined to become a nurse? Perhaps. Was I born to take care of others and help them? Absolutely. 

Most ask how I got from journalism to nursing – it’s easy to explain since both help people in different ways. 

Do I regret the path I took to get where I am? Absolutely not. Experiencing college and life before becoming a nurse opened my eyes and provided a perspective that I think some new college graduates lack.

My prior college and life experiences were my advantage -- I was more appealing to employers after graduation and was hired for my dream job in a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Shortly after, I landed coveted per diem jobs at some of the best hospitals in the Philadelphia region. 

What Makes The Nurse Shine

I firmly believe that my background, education, and unique story were part of what got my foot in the door of the nursing profession. 

For those who have varied pre-nursing careers, don’t believe that your past will hold you back. Life experience counts for a lot, and you can use your past as a sign of strength and professionalism. 

Your experience in other professions can be translated into nursing. Well-rounded people make well-rounded nurses. 

Nursing In My Blood

If you ask any nurse why they entered nursing, you’ll get a variety of answers. Some do it to help others, some do it for the money, and there are some who genuinely feel they were destined for a career in nursing, even if they started elsewhere. 

My answer is simple --  it was in my blood. 

Where Are The Best Nursing Opportunities?

High-paying nursing opportunities abound. As a registered nurse, you are in control of your career. Check out the best jobs from coast to coast on our job board. Get the pay and career path you deserve. Click here to see open positions for nurses now. 

Kathleen Colduvell RN, BSN, BA, CBC graduated with a degree in English and journalism before going back to nursing school. After graduating from Villanova University, she became a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse. Currently, she works at one of the leading children’s hospitals in the country in the NICU, PICU, and CICU, as well as working as a Certified Breastfeeding Consultant.