I’m so jealous! When people are posting their beaming smiles at graduation this season, here I am registering for classes at City College.
Don’t get me wrong – I finished with a great yet useless degree in American Studies from UC Santa Cruz over 4 years ago. I thought I’d be changing the world one social issue at a time. Too bad, so sad. No one hires non-experienced grads and it’s nearly impossible to get into non-profits unless you know someone. “What do you do with a degree in American Studies?” is what one curious interviewer asked. Dumbfounded, I just stared at her blankly.
Even before Chris went to the hospital, I was trying to leave my lucrative career as Commercial Escrow Assistant. I worked my butt off, paid my dues, and was enjoying the spoils. But then I grew a conscience. Who am I really helping here?
Then when Chris underwent his surgery and I called the 4 walls of Chris’ hospital room home, I got a closer look at what nurses did. Yeah, I’ve been to UCSF plenty of times before that but maybe it was the temporary insanity I was experiencing that shed new light on this very well-known profession (my grandma was a nurse and 3 of my aunties as well). I had experience with Chris’ PICT line, his NG tube, his Broviac line, saw his innards without wincing – how much harder could it get?
And the icing on the cake that solidified my fate was when I tried to go back to work. The real estate market tanked and there was no money to bring me back. First time ever did we have layoffs in our small office. It went from an office of 20 to a little more than half. They let go of the HR manager! You know that’s bad!
Anyways, here I am on unpaid, parental leave (FMLA ran out inconveniently). I’m stuck in a limbo in which they’re dying for me to come back but then again, can’t afford to bring me back just yet. How do you ask to be laid off?
With mounting bills of 3 kids, one being sick, I’m temping – back at square one but this time with some experience. It’s not a total “screw you.”
Ohh, how it stings though. This isn’t the best job market, just in case you forgot.
So, here I am. I need to get the science and math pre-requisites out of the way before I can even apply to grad school. Anatomy? Yuck! Chemistry? Scoff! Math? Gag! I always boasted that I finished college without ever having to take Math and it bites me on the butt tenfold. Go figure.
What can I say? I’m a sucker for school.
Wish me luck! I’m going to have to dust my brain off…it’s been awhile.
P.S. I wouldn’t have though about becoming a nurse if it wasn’t for Christopher’s journey. I can’t believe I’m going back to school! Things definitely happen for a reason.
P.P.S. Christopher is doing great!
