How Did I Get Here? My Unexpected Journey to a Career in Nursing
Somewhere between starting my first nursing job and accepting a new position that didn’t even require a nursing license, I realized that nursing was far more than what met the eye.
I’m in my 30s now. I became a nurse in my 20s. And in that time, I’ve worked in more settings, held more roles, and impacted more patients than I ever imagined.
But how did I get this far, and how much further do I want to go?
Rethinking Career Advancement in Nursing
For years, the traditional path to advancing in nursing meant pursuing an advanced degree and becoming an independent practitioner. While that’s an excellent option, I’ve come to realize that advancing in my career doesn’t have to mean becoming an advanced practice nurse. Instead, I’ve gained clarity on how I want to nurse and in my personal journey leadership has helped advance my career.
My Nursing Career Path
Nurse Leadership Progression
Charge Nurse → Nurse Manager → Director of Clinical Services → Healthcare Programs Advisor
Developed expertise in personnel management, project leadership, and conflict resolution
Learned that career growth isn’t just about titles—it’s about clarity and impact
Other Nursing Roles Along the Way
✅ Medical Assistant
✅ ER Tech
✅ Hospital Nurse
✅ Charge Nurse
✅ Outpatient Nurse Manager
✅ Medical Assistant Instructor
✅ Director of Clinical Services
✅ Healthcare Advisor
I didn’t always know where each step would lead. But I leaned into my curiosity, remained open to learning, and embraced every experience—whether good or bad. Each role shaped my perspective and gave me more insight into what I truly wanted from my career.
Coaching Nurses Through Career Transitions
When I coach nurses—whether they’re new grads or seasoned professionals—I always ask:What do you really want to do with nursing?
Many times, they overlook important career milestones. They’ve led initiatives, proposed creative solutions, trained new staff, or even taken on special assignments, yet they don’t see these as valuable experiences. More over, if desired these experiences are very valuable in Nurse Leadership.
I find myself asking new candidates during Nursing interviews: Why did you choose this place to work? Hopefully you have done the research, hopefully workplace/role aligns but it's a thoughtful question that we sometimes overlook. Your answer to this question can help us with our Nursing career clarity.
I’ve started reflecting on that same question myself. It’s good to question your path, but it’s also powerful to be proud of the decisions you have made thus far leading you to this very point.
The Truth About Nurse Leadership
PSSSST ! I didn’t set out to become a nurse leader—but my natural ability to lead took me there. In fact, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to be a nurse at all. As a second-degree nursing student, I had always been passionate about healthcare but wasn’t convinced that nursing was my path at first.
Careers I Considered Before Nursing
🔹 Physical Therapist
🔹 Occupational Therapist
🔹 Rehabilitation Engineer (developing assistive technologies)
🔹 Rehabilitation Architect
🔹 Physician Assistant
But in the end, nursing aligned with my interests and opened doors I never expected.
Just My Nursing Perspective
🔹 Stay curious
🔹 Follow your interests
🔹 Blend your skills and passions
🔹 Keep pursuing new opportunities
I don’t regret the winding road I took to find my career path. In fact, I still have so much I want to accomplish—but I’ve learned that embracing what feels like a detour can ultimately lead to the most fulfilling destinations.
Nurse Meg
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