This is a guest blog post written by current Indianapolis nursing student Leslie Wheeler. Leslie is in the ABSN program at Marian University and is expected to graduate in May of 2014.
I recently began my path to nursing in the accelerated BSN program at Marian University. I love the idea of online classes combined with meeting new people in clinicals and onsite on the north side of Indianapolis. I recently left my career in the automotive industry and finished my bachelor's degree with the idea of someday going into nursing.
I kind of backed into the idea of becoming a nurse after I spent several years taking care of a family member who is chronically ill. She had several bouts with serious illness that required lots of care giving. I learned to give out her medications properly, change her wound dressings and even learned how to replace a wound-vac dressing. Also, my girlfriend Carol was on TPN (total parenteral nutrition) for 122 days, and I changed out her TPN bag every day. I did so much going to doctor's visits, emergency room visits, hospitalization visits and surgery waiting areas, I felt like the Indianapolis hospitals at St.Vincent and IU Health were my second home.
I realized through all this waiting and watching and learning that I was really enjoying what I was doing. I wasn't happy that my girlfriend was so sick, but the work I was doing was really interesting. When I found out that Marian University had a program that would allow me to be working and helping others in less than two years, I knew it was the program for me. It's been wonderful so far, difficult and stressful at times, but a wonderful learning experience, and I've made some great new friends. I love the opportunity that Marian University has given me, and I can't wait to get into the field and start the real work of caring.
Are you ready to take the same steps in becoming a nurse as Leslie? If so, contact Marian University's ABSN program today to schedule a time to talk to an academic advisor.