As a mother, clinical nurse specialist, a certified health coach, and a newly published author, my journey has been a unique blend of caring for others, promoting wellness, and exploring the meanings of my own experiences through writing. Each role, both professional and personal intertwines, creating a holistic approach to health and healing that I am passionate about sharing with others. In my poetry, I am honest about the parts of myself I struggle with and am still trying to learn, reflecting on the aspects I want to pass down to my daughter.
My career in nursing provided me with a foundation for my understanding of health and wellness. I’ve worked in many environments in my nursing career: burns and plastics, medical and surgical intensive care, community health and palliative care, teaching, and now geriatrics. Regardless of practice setting, each experience taught me the importance of compassionate care, active listening, and empathy. These skills are not only crucial in the clinical setting but are also the core of my approach to health coaching and writing. Nursing taught me to see the whole person, not just their symptoms.
Health isn't just about genetics and diet; it's also about everything in our environment that affects us. The stories and experiences of my patients have deeply touched me, enriching my understanding of resilience and the human spirit. Transitioning into health coaching allowed me to take my passion for wellness to a new level. As a health coach my focus is on helping women navigate the challenges of balancing work, life, and health; as well as empowering them to make sustainable lifestyle changes that enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Since becoming a mother, I have faced the challenges that all parents do, especially the shift in identity. I'm no longer just a young woman navigating life and overcoming challenges for my own wellbeing. Now, there's another powerful force within me, driving me to keep moving forward no matter what life throws my way. It is my responsibility to learn, evolve, and teach to the best of my ability so that my daughter can learn from me on her own journey.
Writing has always been a way for me to process, understand and ultimately heal from my own experiences. Through writing, I found a way to articulate my pain, find strength, acceptance and grow as a person. Sharing my poetry with others over the past few months has been a profound experience. It has allowed me to connect with readers on a deeply personal level by being vulnerable and sharing many experiences I have kept quiet about. I guess you could say writing has become another form of caregiving for me to try and extend compassion and empathy I’ve cultivate d as a mother, and in my nursing and health coaching careers.
Fourteen years ago, I was a young woman starting my journey. Twelve years ago, I became a nurse. Four years ago, I embraced motherhood, and three years ago, I became a health coach. Writing emerged naturally to reflect my experiences on paper. If I peel back the layers of my identity, being a mother, nurse, health coach, and writer are just parts of who I am. As I continue to grow and explore, I am excited to discover what other aspects of myself will unfold.
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