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March 23, 2006
My Essay Entry
Why I choose Geriatric nursing, my grandmother. She was the only grandparent I ever knew and she died when I was 12 years old. My fondest memories of childhood are from time spent at her house, sliding down the big hill behind her house in winter, building forts in summer and exploring her dusty old attic full of cobwebs and hidden treasures.
My grandmother’s health steadily declined, her diabetes uncontrolled and her memory failing. She just couldn't take care of herself anymore. My mother tried to take her home with us, but with four children of her own and working full time it just became too much and so the family decided to put Gram in a nursing home. It was awful. My grandmother cried and cried and she became very angry towards my mother and blamed her.
I remember visiting Gram at the home, she was always so sad. She especially hated to see us leave.
After she died, just a few months later, I told myself I wanted to become a nurse and take care of people. I wanted to make a difference in old people’s lives.
During highschool I worked part time as an CNA and then in the fall of that same year went off to LPN school and then returned to the same nursing home where I worked for over 7 years until I went on to become an RN.
I never forgot Gram and her last months here on earth. It was the memory of this endearing, strong willed woman that had touched my heart so growing up and made me pursue a career in geriatric nursing and make a difference.
what do you think? it could be worth $250!
(my gram ~ 1981)
Posted by tracey at March 23, 2006 08:04 PM