A Crossroad Becomes a Calling

When interviewing Ronit, a telemetry RN in Los Angeles, we were struck by fact that nursing was not originally her calling. She was at a crossroad in her life and needed change. She explored possibilities and she chose nursing for what it offers: a great rewarding career. How clever!

When did you start your nursing career?

I graduated in December 2008 and started working in February 2009 at Providence St Joseph in Burbank CA.

Was it easy to find a job as a new grad?

No, I researched a hospital that had a new grad program and went to their open house. I talked to a recruiter and we went from there.

Did you have a specialty in mind?

I was lucky that St Joseph was hiring new grads for Telemetry and that’s what I wanted eventually I got the position.

How intimidated were you to start this new career?

As a new grad, you don’t really start on your own. The hospital has a preceptorship set up for 16 weeks so that a new grad is not overwhelmed. By the end I felt ready and eager to get started on my own.

What have you learned about yourself?

I was never an anxious person, I hardly ever felt uncomfortable to do anything but having to talk to doctors and family members made me uneasy. I had to learn how to deal with these new feelings. Eventually I got used to it and it dissipated.

What would you change about your job?

The stress!!! My days go by so fast; I jumped from one task to the next, one patient to the next and back. I would not mind enjoying a real break every now and then.

What fulfills you about your career?

As cliché as it sounds, making a difference in someone’s life that you’ll never see again is a pretty awesome feeling.

What do you do for fun and unwind from your days?

First I sleep it off and then I cook for my family and friends on my days off.

Do you see yourself doing anything else?

No, nursing is a great career choice. It’s never boring; it offers endless education, possibilities, specialties and opportunities. Plus you make great money! I just love it and I am glad that I put in the effort to get through nursing school; it’s a very rewarding career.

Confuscious said: "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." It seems Ronit has realized that secret. Have you?