Happy Medium by Erin Murtaugh

If I’ve learned one thing since leaving high school, it’s that it’s OK to change your mind. Since graduating, I have changed my mind on colleges, majors and so much more, many times.

When I was just starting high school, I thought I wanted to go into the medical field, specifically oncology. Then, the creative side of me really started to blossom, which is when I wanted to get into photography as a career.

Knowing that it’s hard to make a stable living off a photography business alone, I knew I should probably go to school for something else, too, to support myself.

I had really lost interest in the medical field, but for some reason, was driven toward business. I’ve always been into entrepreneurial things, so I figured majoring in business was probably a smart move, for both photography and having a job to support myself. Although this seemed like a good idea, aside from it helping my photo business out, I didn’t seem to have a lot of passion for business like I thought I would. Being passionate about something when you’re doing it is important to me.

There was a time, too, when I was thinking I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to become an art teacher because I had been so impacted by my teachers throughout my years in school, but also so that I could share my love for art with children. After working on some courses toward my elementary education degree, I realized it just really wasn’t for me.

So, this past fall I decided to just finish out my associate degree in liberal arts, which would make it easier to transfer to a school when I finally figured out what I wanted to do as a major.

Around the same time, I decided to take a class to become a certified nursing assistant. I had wanted to take the class since I was 16 but never had the chance to. I felt stuck in life, and since I had the time, I decided to go for it.

Since taking that class, my life has changed. I find so much meaning and purpose working as a CNA on a day-to-day basis. I’m so passionate about what I do. Helping people is what I feel like I’m supposed to do with my life. Shortly after becoming a CNA, my interest in the medical field sparked again.

So, after months of research and hard work, I’ve decided that I will be going to school to become a registered nurse. I’ve looked into a few different programs and colleges, and found what seems to be the right place for me.

As frustrating as it is that I’ve changed my mind so many times, and taken some classes I didn’t necessarily need to, I’m glad I’ve taken the path I have and ended up where I am now. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and dedication, but I’m excited to become a nurse and work to help people every day.

 

Erin Murtaugh is a nursing student at Rasmussen College in Mankato. She can be reached at murtaugh.erin@gmail.com.