Nursing is beyond a medical occupation, it is being available to your patients at all times, caring for them, and helping them. I was only a fourth grader when my desire to become a nurse began. One fall night my dad’s pickup rolled over him and he was taken to the hospital. The rest of my family worked and helped on the farm, leaving me to care for my dad when he came home. This sparked my passion to help people and influenced my decision to pursue nursing while my work experience, leadership opportunities, and volunteer work helped prepare me. Lifeguarding at our local swimming pool was the first job position I held. Becoming CPR and first aid certified were two of the requirements for this job that began to prepare me for my future in nursing.