For 20 years I was a registered nurse.

Working in critical care and labor and delivery, I loved what I did, and loved teaching.

I saw my job as a ministry as well as a career.

All those years in hospitals before safe patient moving equipment was prominent has trashed my lower back.

I tried to keep exercising and stay at a healthy weight to keep pressure off my back.

Two years ago I left the hospital life. I had an added complication of newly diagnosed insulin dependent diabetes to my challenges, so I decided to step down from the hospital setting.

I went into an office setting.

It did not go well. Between my struggling health instability and a hostile work environment, I gave a two week notice after nine months of work. I worked out my notice despite some serious challenges, and took what I had learned and moved on.

Discouraged.

I had twenty years of overall great memories and reviews, culminated with a lot of kudos.

It was amazing how nine months could really throw me.

But it did.

I was ready to never work again.

After much prayer and discussion with my husband, I recently took a travel nursing contract in a nearby state.

I’m so glad I did!

I’m up and running, at work 15 minutes early every day. I’m training new nurses. I’m ministering to the local population. I’m a resource. I’m appreciated. I’m thanked.

I’m back.

In five weeks, that nine months -that was disappointingly capped off by the industry verboten bad reference by an office manager- had been erased.

I’m grateful for all the experiences that have made me the nurse I am. I have learned something everywhere I have worked.

That nine months in the office was the worst medical time of my life. It really shook me, emotionally as well as physically.

Over time, I have learned to deal with my diabetes, one day at a time, and my back is a journey of stretching, exercise, and rest.

I’m grateful for this travel experience, and look forward to completing my contract, and going home to my family.

Will I work as an RN again? Time will tell.

I have my confidence back, though, and I am forever grateful for this experience that reminded me of the big picture.

I’m a registered nurse. And I matter.