About six years ago, my oldest daughter Dana graduated from Loyola University School of Nursing, took her boards and became an R.
N.
Her dream was to be a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
As she shared her dream with others, everyone told her that it doesn't happen that way.
Her friends said, "You're not being realistic, you have no experience...
and you want to start at one of the best hospitals in the country? What are you thinking? They said, "Nobody gets hired for the pediatric intensive care unit at Children's right out of nursing school.
Nobody.
" They said, "Get several years of good experience, first, and then go for Children's.
You have to be practical about this.
" Dana listened to them.
After all, they were her friends and some of them were her advisors.
So, she listened to them.
Then, she didn't listen to them any longer.
She listened to herself.
She wanted to start her healthcare career, not just at Children's hospital, but in their pediatric intensive care unit! So, she went for what she wanted, knowing it was a stretch.
Dana interviewed and sold herself during the interview.
Despite not having any experience, Dana got her dream job.
She's been there about six years now and loves what she is doing and where she is.
Dana is living her dream.
Now, she's working on her master's degree to become a Nurse Practicioner.
Good for her.
How did Dana get to where she is today? There are many variables involved, no question about it.
But, here's one that we can all be reminded of: You have to believe in yourself first.
If you do, others will.
If you don't, it can be a crap shoot.
Guess which one Dana chose?