One simple letter change – and yet a huge life change.
My undergrad degree is nursing and I practiced with an RN license for several years until 2011 when my adventure in higher ed started. Thus my title changed from RN (Registered Nurse) to RD (Resident Director).
I once had a friend ask if my years of nursing school were a waste because I no longer work as a nurse. I immediately answered no as I believe I’m walking the path the Lord wants me to walk. While my path has been anything but straight, I’ve appreciated the growth and joy that has come with it. Let’s be honest, lots of growth as I’ve learned to trust Him with the changes.
A few months ago, I was reminiscing about that conversation with my dad when Matthew 4:18-22 popped into my head.
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he [Jesus] saw two brotherS, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
This story resonated with me! It was not a waste of the disciples time to learn the fishing trade. They were providing for their families in that season of life. They were learning skills that the Lord would use later. They were fishermen who became fishers of men.
The same applies to my life. My time as an RN prepared me to be an RD, and I believe it makes me a better director of housing. And while I do use pieces of nursing in my higher ed job, I truly believe that the Lord used that season of nursing to refine stubborn areas in my flesh and to make Himself more visible in my life.
I still keep my RN license active since I don’t know what the future holds. But this I know – God will use all my hurts, victories, jobs, and life experiences for His purposes and glory!
Not all who wander are lost. – J.R.R. Tolkien
Adventures of a Single Pretzel 
This resonated with me because I, too, am a nurse and have been for the past almost 16 years. I am in the process of transitioning out of nursing into a new career and it’s been hard because while I know what I desire to do based on what God has put in my heart to do, I don’t what the first step is. Any tips or suggestions as to how you made the transition? I just no longer have a desire to do nursing anymore. It doesn’t help that my current position has been extremely stressful. Thanks so much!
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I’m so glad that this spoke to you! I get exactly where you are at! Why don’t we switch over to email. That might be easier for us to correspond back and forth with. Mine is hetzelce@gmail.com
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