Life-Long Learning 

From the time of my birth I was learning. As I became aware of the world, I developed a voracious appetite to understand the natural world. Science was, “my thing”.  I excelled in all the sciences, fueled by curiosity and satiated by knowledge. As I approached adolescents, my curiosity naturally flowed towards the human sciences; understanding the body, growth, development, sickness and health. I wanted to know how we were made, how we developed, why we learned, what we learned. I took classes in high school, and read everything I could find. I had a microscope when I was 10. A better one at 12 and a professional one with an oil immersion lens, when I was 14. During the latter half of high school, I became very curious to why we think like we do and how we form emotions and relationships.  I became curious about religions, all religions. I went with friends to their different churches and synagogues. I read about the backgrounds and teachings. I was studying psychology, sociology, and socio-biology. I trained as a peer counselor through a pilot study, prepared by the University of Miami.

When I graduated high school, I wanted to go on to college. I moved away from Miami to Clearwater, Florida. It was my first time living on my own. I worked in a local hospital, first in dietary and later in the x-ray department. Still curious and drawn to healthcare, I gravitated to hospital work in any capacity. I learned about positioning for radiographic images, the techniques and contrasts used. I had an opportunity to move to Tallahassee, Florida, home to Florida State University (FSU). After just one semester, I realized that I would need more money to pursue my education. I returned to Miami, to work construction until the spring semester. While there, I found a way to finance my education and travel, the armed services. I joined within the month and was off to the army. I chose the medical field; it was the most innate decision.  I attended the Academy of Health Sciences, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. It was wonderful and rather easy. I had a great foundation and the learning came naturally.

Over the next eight years, I attended the Academy three times. I attended and was awarded Diplomas for, Medical Specialist, Clinical Specialist and Pharmacy Specialist. I enjoyed training in emergency medicine and running a health clinic. I ran the Battalion drug program, a venereal disease clinic, learned and taught Tae Kwon Do. I traveled the world and learned about various cultures from the people living there.

When I left the service, I returned to school. I attended the Nursing course at what was then called, Central Florida Community College (CFCC).  I graduated with my Associates degree in Nursing and began my nursing career. I have credentialed in Basic Cardiac Life Saving (BCLS) as an instructor, Advanced Cardiac Life Saving (ACLS) as an instructor and Pediatric Advanced Life Saving (PALS), also as an instructor. I went on to become credentialed as an Adult Critical Care Nurse (CCRN), and have maintained my status for the past 16 years. Nursing has turned out to be my natural orientation to healthcare.

With the finalization of my Bachelors degree in Nursing, I am now focused on an advanced degree that of Masters in Nursing, specializing in family practices as a nurse practitioner. I know with the advent of the internet and the entire world of knowledge opening to everyone with access, I will never be done with my education. There is always something new to learn and evidence for better practice.