I never imagined being anything else. My mother, aunt, and cousin are all nurses and I often say nursing is in my blood. I was fortunate to have them as wonderful role models; their support and encouragement got me where I am today.

Many grueling days go by but all I need is one moment to make it worthwhile: a simple acknowledgment from a coworker, a patient, or a family member turns my day around and makes me happy. Also, being a critical care nurse is exciting because of the challenges and unique experiences that keep us on our toes.

An experience that stands out for me was when a young patient showed me that being a mom always comes first. She had developed cardiomyopathy during her second pregnancy and it had been mistreated for several years. Although she was finally receiving proper treatment, she needed a heart transplant. She...

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