People enter professions for different reasons. Some do it for money. Some do it because of a natural skill or talent. Some do it because they can’t think of anything better. But sometimes, people enter professions because they seem destined. Erin Nestor, our $500 scholarship winner at StressedOutNurses.com, is one of those people. After a 25-minute conversation with her last week, it was clear she was born to do one thing: be a nurse.

Nestor is a third-semester nursing student at Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) in Phil Campbell, AL. She started her college career at Auburn (AL) University, and then decided to try and enter the nursing program at the University of North Alabama in Florence. She was put on the wait list four times. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, but knew nursing was still her calling. She decided to give NWSCC a try, and that’s where we’ll begin our chat:

Stressed Out: So what happened when you applied at Northwest Shoals?
Erin Nestor: I got put on the alternate list there, too. It tore me apart. But a couple of weeks later, I got a call on my cell phone. I was so excited that I couldn’t talk.

SO: And you’re in your third semester?
EN: Yup, I’m in summer school. We have two more weeks left. I can’t believe it. I still get so excited going to class everyday. I still can’t believe I’m in the nursing program.

SO: When will you graduate?
EN: In May, 09.

SO: That date is probably circled on a lot of calendars, huh?
EN: Every day it gets closer, I get goose bumps.

SO: When did you know nursing was the profession for you?
EN: Well, my mom is a nurse, so I think I take after her . . . But, I don’t think there was an age or a time when I was like ‘Nursing is for me.’ It’s more about what kind of job I can enjoy doing and still make a difference in people’s lives. What other professions would I enjoy doing? I can’t think of one.

SO: In what area of nursing do you want to work?
EN: I always have to be going, so I’d like to be in the ER. You have to use critical thinking right then and there.

SO: What other stresses do you face in nursing school?
EN: Loans and bills. Right now, I’m $45,000 in debt. And not being able to see my family. My family is fixing to go to Las Vegas for a birthday and I can’t go. At the same time, I don’t mind because I know I only have one more year left.

SO: Why are you willing to make all these sacrifices?
EN: Because of the light at the end of the tunnel. It’ll all be better once I graduate. It’ll take time to make some money, but I’ll be waking up every day and I’ll be enjoying my job. I worked hard for this.

SO: Oh, almost forgot. Last question. What do you plan on doing with the $500?
EN: Actually, I’ll probably put it in my checking account. It’ll help with the rent for next month. It’s going to be helpful and it sure does mean a lot.

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