Grab an iced coffee, get comfy, and let’s dive into this story!

Growing Up

I always say that I have wanted to be a nurse since I was little, which is true! Just not entirely… There was a short time in elementary school that I wanted to be a fashion designer! After discovering I wasn’t all that great at coming up with unique, fashionable designs I decided I needed to find something different.

I enjoyed watching the drama-filled Emergency Department reality TV shows after school. My mom was a nurse and had always worked in healthcare. I felt that I had finally found the career for me! In high school I volunteered at nursing homes and participated in camps for students who wanted to work in healthcare. I went to college for a bachelor’s degree in nursing, which I obtained in 2018.

Work as a RN

I began work as a Registered Nurse in 2019. When I moved to Colorado with my love, John, I struggled to find a position on a unit that I felt I truly wanted. So, I settled for an inpatient rehab facility and began to work night shift. At first, I truly loved this job and my coworkers.

 Then the pandemic happened.

Along with short staffing, becoming a preceptor and house supervisor (like a charge nurse!) with just over a year of experience I was extremely burnt out and ready to leave the bedside.

I was crying uncontrollably before every shift and felt that I couldn’t face my patients.  I found myself on the floor of the bathroom in the breakroom at the start of every shift. I was spending all my time sleeping, but I blamed my messed-up sleep schedule on night shift. I was not doing any of the things that I normally enjoyed.

Diagnosis

My mental health was at an all-time low in November of 2020.  I remember so vividly the events leading up to my diagnosis of depression, anxiety, and panic attack.

There was a small snowstorm, and the panic that was building inside made it impossible to go to work. I called in to work and blamed my inability to safely drive to work. My supervisor called and stated that they could find me a ride.

So I turned my phone off and simply ignored my responsibilities, which of course did not help.

A few days later my supervisor, director and HR all sat me down for a meeting. I will forever be grateful for that supervisor. She really saved my life.

In this meeting my supervisor told me I was depressed. And provided me with support services, which I gladly accepted.

I began seeing a therapist and started working with a doctor who put me on antidepressants. I was diagnosed with depression, and anxiety with panic attacks. I spoke with my supervisor about my desire to leave the bedside and she was able to help me transfer departments.

The Change Up

The transfer felt like everything that I wanted. I was working a normal, daytime schedule and while I was never fully trained in this department, I was enjoying learning a new side of healthcare. My new coworkers were so friendly and accepting of me. I became incredibly close to one of them, she even said she felt like I was her little sister! I had always wanted a work bestie!

After about six months the warm welcome I had initially received turned into an icy, cold shoulder. No longer were my coworkers willing to assist me, and their assistance was vital to my success as I had not been properly trained.

The other people in the department were no longer my friends and began to push me out of “their” department with passive aggressive bullying.

I tried to speak with my director, but she said “I’m not sure how to handle this situation” as they were all close friends. HR was involved, but they were not helpful.

After nearly three months of the bullying, I put in my notice and packed my office within two days. The depression that I faced made it nearly impossible to move forward, but I knew that I had to continue to fight and survive.

I began to work for a staffing agency working in long term care facilities and taking various vaccine administration positions. I did enjoy this work as I was able to pick the days that I worked, and overall work less. While I enjoyed some of this I still found myself struggling with panic attacks.

Finding my Happiness

Through all the struggles and battles that I have faced in the back of my mind was a desire to share my journey with others who may be facing the same struggles.

I have spent the last year discovering what it is that lights my soul on fire and makes me happy. This self-discovery brought to life Ky Gets Real, and brought us here!

When I was younger my mom would plan a vacation to a new place every year. Our vacations were wonderful! She taught me how to plan an incredible and fun vacation, and I want to teach you! I will also give you all my tips on packing, taking road trips, traveling with dogs, and managing mental health.

Check out my blog posts, and follow me on social media to learn how to have the best vacation!