The Resilient Nurse: My Journey of Challenges, Growth, and Dreams

 


I Never Planned to Be a Nurse

Growing up, I never dreamed of becoming a nurse.
I didn’t have a deep passion for the profession or a clear vision of my future in healthcare.

But I had an aunt who was a nurse in the United States. She looked successful and inspiring, and that was enough for me to follow the path of nursing.
And so, without much thought, I entered nursing school after high school.

However, without a real sense of purpose, I struggled to stay focused in my studies.
Living away from my parents for the first time, I felt a newfound freedom and spent more time enjoying life than studying.

Then, after my second year of college, I was drafted into the military.

Finding My Passion for Nursing in the Military

In South Korea, military service is mandatory for all men.
For 21 months, I served my country, earning less than $100 per month.

Fortunately, I was assigned as a medic in a psychiatric ward at a military hospital.
There, I worked closely with patients, engaged in therapeutic communication, and participated in treatment processes.

That experience changed me.
For the first time, I truly understood what it meant to be a nurse—and I wanted to be one.

Struggling to Find My First Nursing Job

After completing my military service, I returned to school with a new mindset.
I couldn’t change my past mistakes, but I was determined to give my best in my remaining time.

Then, the time came to apply for jobs.
While my classmates secured positions in major hospitals, my poor grades from before my military service held me back.

I was the only one in my group who graduated without a job offer.
My confidence hit rock bottom.

But life has a way of offering second chances.

I immediately started working night shifts at a small rehabilitation hospital near my home.
Many of my coworkers had already been accepted into prestigious hospitals and were just working there as a temporary job before starting their full-time positions.

I hated feeling inferior in comparison.
So, I gave my best, even in that small hospital.

And finally, my efforts paid off—I secured a position at one of the top five hospitals in South Korea.
I regained my confidence.

A New Dream: Becoming a Nurse in the U.S.

After leaving the rehabilitation hospital, I decided to visit my aunt in California during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I toured the hospital where she worked, observed her daily life, and compared it to my own experience in Korea.
The difference was striking.

I realized that the United States offered better working conditions, higher salaries, and greater career opportunities for nurses.
At that moment, a new dream was born—I wanted to become a nurse in America.

Gaining More Experience and Moving Forward

After returning to Korea, I briefly worked at a COVID-19 testing center, gaining hands-on experience in patient care.

I was then offered a position as a preoperative nurse in a cardiothoracic surgery department at a major hospital.
However, since I had already been accepted into another hospital, I declined the offer.

Then, I finally received my assignment—
I was placed in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU).

I was nervous about handling critical heart patients.
But I embraced the challenge.
And now, this experience is proving to be one of the most valuable parts of my nursing career.

My Future as a Nurse, Husband, and Father

At this hospital, I met my wife, the person who will walk this journey of life with me.
I also passed the NCLEX-RN exam and am now preparing for my immigration to the United States.

As I complete the final steps of my immigration process, I plan to stay at this hospital until I leave for the U.S., learning and growing as much as I can.

I Am the Resilient Nurse

Life is full of unexpected twists and challenges.
I’ve hit rock bottom, faced rejection, and struggled through difficult times.
But each time, I picked myself up and kept moving forward.

Now, I’m preparing to start a new chapter in a foreign land, adapting to a new culture, a new language, and a new way of life.
It won’t be easy, but I’m ready.

I feel excited and hopeful.
I want to keep learning, growing, and becoming better—
A great nurse, a loving husband, a devoted father, and a caring son.

That’s why I will keep moving forward.
And right now, in this moment, I am truly happy.

위치: 미국 캘리포니아

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