Kim C, The NP

So ….

How did I end up working at a hospital caring for patients in the middle of the night?

Back in 2003, the closest I got to a hospital was passing by one on my way to my grad school journalism classes.

But back in the 1990s, the hospital was my dream career destination. As a kid, all I ever wanted was to be a doctor. In my mind and my heart, it was destiny. I focused on science classes and planned years ahead for being a pre-med, then taking the MCAT, then medical school ….

Until I completely fell off the academic cliff in physics … then organic chemistry … then biochemistry ….

Of course, I was devastated. Destiny derailed. But I moved on and focused on what I thought was my strength — writing. (Okay, maybe it’s not great right now. I’m rusty!)

Gradually, I couldn’t suppress my appetite for telling stories. On top of that, I wanted to use that skill for educational purposes as well. My journey to journalism began and I pursued that career. I spent 13 years working in local television news as a reporter and at one of the major news networks in production and ultimately, as an online reporter.

Unbeknownst to me, my transition into health journalism in 2009 marked the end of my career in the news business. While working in health news, I joked I needed “street cred” as a health reporter, i.e., actual medical credentials. What I didn’t know at the time was that corporate downsizing turned that joke into my next reality.

After a layoff and at the age of 39, I entered a nursing program. Five years later, I completed my nurse practitioner program and began practicing medicine. After another five years, I’m sitting in my hospital office in the middle of the night and I’m WRITING in between patient care tasks.

Did I finally achieve my childhood dream? Not quite, but I’m close. Now, if I can only get this writing thing moving along ….

Anyway, next time, I’ll “talk” more about medicine and the media. I’ve got a lot to say ….