Menu
My name is Katie, and I have been a nurse for 10 years. My healthcare journey began in 2013 when I started as a CNA, eventually progressing through school to achieve my BSN. I specialize in Emergency Medicine and have worked as a Travel ER RN since the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing has been life-changing for me. I strive to be the good in difficult situations and provide the best care possible to my patients.
RN, BSN, NREMT
My name is Katie, and I have been a nurse for 10 years. My healthcare journey began in 2013 when I started as a CNA, eventually progressing through school to achieve my BSN. I specialize in Emergency Medicine and have worked as a Travel ER RN since the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing has been life-changing for me. I strive to be the good in difficult situations and provide the best care possible to my patients.
I became a Registered Nurse because it offers a stable career. At the start of my healthcare journey, I was a young single mom with a six-month-old baby. I needed a profession that would help me provide for my child, utilize my passion for helping people, and offer challenges with opportunities for growth. Through various degrees and certifications, as well as lifelong learning, I can stay up-to-date with the latest developments in medicine. Nursing provides incredible flexibility, allowing me to choose from a wide range of specialties, positions, work schedules, and career paths. With a nursing degree, my career opportunities extend beyond bedside care, opening up endless possibilities.
I took the scenic route and obtained my CNA certificate, LPN, EMT and RN – ADN as I was able to and could afford to. I eventually obtained my Bachelors in Science of Nursing after several years in the profession. Everyone’s journey looks different and there is no right or wrong way to get there. I am grateful for my experiences because I have worked my way through the ranks and have a deep appreciation for every aspect of the team.
Classes that are essential to becoming a nursing include Anatomy and Physiology with labs, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, Psychology, and Math. Some nursing-based classes include Pharmacology, Medical Terminology, Mental Health, Public Health, Leadership, and many more.
The amount of money you can expect to earn varies greatly on your specialty, the shift you work, if you have advanced degrees or certifications, experience, the state you are practicing in, if you are taking travel contracts/ PRN/ FT/PT/ etc, the current job market, and negotiating skills!
A typical work schedule is 36 hours a week. I work night shift so I work 645 PM to 715 AM. I prefer to work a block schedule which mean I work all of my shifts in a row and have 4 days off. Schedules can vary based on whether you work in a hospital or clinic setting, pick up overtime time shifts, or have weekend requirements.
In my job, I take care of everybody. I work in the Emergency Department where a nurse is considered a “Jack of All Trades”. We take care of every age range and every type of problem imaginable (and some things you can’t imagine); from code blues to delivering babies.
Some challenges I have faced as a nurse include long hours, lack of sleep, fatigue, violence, and political/ economic issues. It is important to make sure you are taking care of yourself as a nurse, so that you can take care of others. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Nursing is a very special profession. It is challenging and fun, and will be some of the hardest, most rewarding work you will ever do. There are good days and bad days, but at the end of each day, you know you’re making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. It’s important to stay educated, remain humble, and treat others how you would want to be treated.
Copyright © 2025 CNA Class Guide. All Rights Reserved