I recently went to The Grotto, which is a sanctuary in Portland dedicated to Mary. I prayed for my upcoming marriage and for a little peace of mind. I've been feeling quite lost lately, and have been searching for something "to do" since I was not accepted into grad school.
I had a moment while I was in St. Paul in March, when there was still snow on the ground, and I was out on a run. I thought, I could become a nurse, I could tend to the sick and still be doing an activity of one of the beatitudes. If I'm not tending to the sick, housing the homeless, feeding the hungry, etc...then what am I doing? Being a waitress is technically feeding the hungry, but rarely am I addressing "real" hunger. Anyway, back to this moment. I thought that diving into nursing would be too much of a rebound, and that I shouldn't rush into it with the pangs of comparative literature reject fresh on my heart. I've been letting it mull over since that time, and I believe that it's the right thing to do.
I registered for a CNA course, which will be a good first step to see if I like the field, and to see if I'll be motivated enough to become a nurse some day. I'm sort of starting over (again) in a different field, and I'll have no experiences so I'll be at the bottom of the food chain, but it'll be good I think. It feels like a step in the right direction, and I'll be caring for people in a way that I never have before. I'll be serving people when they are at their most weak and vulnerable. There will be the viewing of more suffering, yes, but also a greater chance to see the face of Christ in my fellow man.
1 comment:
Hey there,
Comparative lit - well, I was an English major and had wanted at one time to go to grad school in this too; but you know, there really are very little or no jobs in the feild. one of my friends was thinking of further grad work and he was counselled first not to do a phd and not to get another MA in humanities because it is not seen as a terminal degree but only as needing a PhD before it is worth anything... and sadly English Lit PhDs are almost a 'dime a dozen' and many more PhDs than jobs.
Nursing is a really good choice not only for jobs but as doing something that you may find really worth while. My Aunt is a nurse and likes it. I have friends who are also very thoughtful literate people who are nurses. it can really fit humanities people.
I went the librarian path as it is a profession and I was inspired by my nursing friends to get a degree that was linked to a profession. Nursing may be great for you.
May God bless you as you search; don't let it get you down; not getting into grad school; down the road I think you will see it as a blessing.
Keep us posted :)
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