I am often asked about my career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. I am asked frequently if having PKU and my experiences in health care pointed me towards being a nurse.  Or of I had always dreamed about being a nurse. Honestly becoming a nurse, was not my first choice. I had many ideas prior to deciding . While I was in school I had not thought much about post secondary education. I was a horrible student with a C- average. I failed many subjects and skipped school many many times. I just wanted to be done. My only focus was getting out. My only dreams where of being a mother and a wife. Even though my hole life , until I was 18, I was told I would never be able to have a baby. However that’s a story for another time. I held out hope.

As I started grade 10 in high school, I really started to think more about post secondary, in my heart I always always knew that I would do something. I just didn’t think I was smart enough or good enough. I just knew I wanted to have a post secondary education. My mind swirled with options, One thing that I kept coming back to was, how much  I  enjoyed  was , working at the pre-school. I loved babies. I loved being around young babies and toddlers. I finished school by doing a CAP program and I used work hours as extra credit. I volunteered at 3 pre- school classes a week. Even working at the day care on our high school property where students and teachers who had young children could attend. I began to consider for a while, being an ECE ( early childhood educator) for a long time.

After high school when Cole and I where still new in our relationship, I held various jobs, a beauty specialist at super store, the head cashier at winners, a photographer and sales associate at sears portrait studio. That was one of my most favorite jobs. After that I worked at sears, I was a receptionist at Slegg Lumber, and 2 chiropractic offices. Even with my various jobs, I always thought about post secondary. I had to put it on hold for many years, with injuries, illness, financial set backs , life sort of got away and it was not the right time. I kept applying and looking around though. I had applied at Camosun College twice for ECE and had been accepted but then could not get financing. After I got over my disappointment I began looking at other options , funding and colleges. I than considered a career as a counselor. I spent alot of time in the counselor’s office in school. They really helped me out alot and I wanted to help people. That was the one thing I knew when considering a career of my own. I wanted to work with people, I wanted to make a difference and help people.

Nursing was not even on my radar, One day in 2008 I decided to make an appt with a career counselor at sprott shaw college. Cole and I went in and we talked about my life and my experiences, careers I had considered and why.  joe my career counselor who became my friend, mentioned practical nursing, and something in side my brain clicked. I instantly flashed through my life,  focusing on when I was in highschool, to the time I was fighting my battle with high levels, When I grew sicker and sicker. I needed to be admitted to BC Children’s hospital , twice on long term admissions. I spent a lot of time around nurses and doctors. I was a bit resentful at times to all the authority around me, the people poking and prodding me and testing me. But at the end of the night, my nurses where my angels. They made me feel so comfortable. They helped me more than anything. I remember 3 nurses who impacted my life so much. I was a rebellious teenager and I was away from my friends, my family, my baby siblings and my home. For weeks on end and my family could not visit. I became very attached to a few of my nurses. One nurse in particular, she would end her shift and than come and sit with me, french braid my hair and talk with me about my day. I oped up to her and shared my feelings. I remember her smile and her kindness. I dont think I could have gotten by with out her. The next thing I knew, I was reaching over and signing the papers on the application and admission packages.

The process after that was a whirl wind. It all happened to fast. Next thing I know, I was getting my funding, a student loan and money from Cole. I did all my pre-requisitions, admission tests, doctors visits, immunizations and planing for school. I was registered for classes to begin in February 2009. I signed up in October 2008. In January I was started biology 12 as a pre reg for the course. At the same time, our home had flooded and we where in the middle of a move and has alot of our furniture. I had to finish biology, move and go through an insurance claim all by February to start classes. It was a very busy time.

Once i started school, it became all about my grades. I was determine to be a better student. To focus and to succeed. I did not work while in school, Cole supported us and bought all my low protein food so I could stay healthy and keep my levels low so I could focus, learn and retain what I learnt. My life became all about my grades and meeting my own expectations. If it effected Cole or I or my grades I cut it out. I really learnt who my friends where and lost a few along the way. I wanted to be a good student. I tried hard, studied harder, and tried every single skill on my practicums. There where of course a few moments where I was like ” what did I get myself into” But they where over come with moments where I was fascinated with learning. Everything interested me. I really grew as a person.I came into the course naive, never seeing any one naked expect cole of course ( laughing out loud at that) Blood and bodily fluids freaked me out and I did not have a care aid back ground like most of my classmates. I learnt how to separate though and I obtained what they called “nurses brain” like a switch that gets flicked and takes you away from those feelings and you just do it and over come it. I learnt that even though things use to make me cringe, helping people is what mattered. Looking after my residents or my patients was the my focus, it was all that matters, and it still is. I am helping them, and most times they are as emberessed as I am and grateful for the help. When I am at work, when I am with my residents, nothing phases me. I do everything I can to make them comfortable and happy. Yet nudity on tv and real life still makes me cringe a little with emberessement. Blood bothers me in large amounts but now i just switch on my nurses brain and be confident in my skills and let my hands take over.

Going through school and having the access to the low protein foods , keeping my levels low and feeling clear headed and accomplishment with my great grades, proved to me how important it was for me to maintain lower levels. My PKU and my health need to be the best they can be, so i can be the best me for my patients. One of our classes in school focuses on our rights and responsibilities as a nurse , one of those being related to looking after my body. I know I cannot practice or be a good nurse if my levels are effected. I cannot administer medications or preform a procedure if my brain is foggy. It is my right and my responsibility to my residents to keep my brain safe so I can give safe quality care.

Working shift work is hard on my body and makes it challenging to maintain low levels. Luckily I work in such a great place. I also work 8 hour shifts. On my day shifts I need to bring lunch with me , normally my hardest meal of the day. I tend to bring salads, soups or pizza pops. Afternoon shifts I need to bring dinner. My low protein pasta does not keep well so when I am working I tend to bring mashed potatoes, cream corn and applesauce. On night shifts, I have a snack at 1 am, either something low protein, and than my breakfast at 5 am. Usually low protein bread or a bagel and my formula. luckily in my LCU we have a toaster, kettle and microwave.

Working sporadically and casually for 2 years since graduating , saw a roller coaster of levels due to finances and ability to afford low protein food. The less I worked, the less I could access low protein food. So then it was harder for me to work. Certainly yet another pku roller coaster.

Now since moving to kamloops I have been working regularly , and I filled a night line for 5 months temporarily. Worked casually again in September and last night started back on the night line. I never thought id ever enjoy a night shift , or feel comfortable. However I like the stability. I like having a set schedule and not being on call all the time. It has made it a lot easier to be prepared and pre plan. It is a bit harder to dedicate a day to cooking and baking as I am so tired on my days off , but i think i am adjusting much quicker this time around.

Looking back over the 3 years I have been an LPN , there has been ups and downs, with my body physically and my limitations with my back injury, as well as financially being able to maintain my low protein food usage. I wouldn’t change it for the world though. I know now this is what I was meant to do. I love my residents and have formed many bonds. I love working in just one place, and I love my co workers. I am very happy hear and can see myself doing this for many years to come. I do always have a back up though. If a time came where my back failed me or I was unable to be a nurse, my next best of course is a dietitian! I mean really could it have been anything else?