From Content Creator to Nurse: Finding My Path on Solid Ground in a Digital World
“Why would you throw away such a cool career to go into healthcare?!” is one of the most common questions I am asked by colleagues, immediate family, and friends and peers alike.
To set the tone of this book and my story, I wish to state that I believe a fulfilling and rewarding career aligns with one’s personal values, leverages your strengths, and accurately reflects a conscious and intentional choice that resonates with your goals and aspirations in life. That is exactly what a career in Nursing is for me.
I first became a full-time creator in 2018. I started my digital journey by sharing funny cultural lifestyle videos online about my day to day life as a Chinese North American. Relatable, honest, and funny is how I was described. Within a blink of an eye, my videos became a vital hit. Overnight, I became an online personality from just being my true authentic self; as the years went by, I eventually establish myself as a prominent creator in the Asian North American creator community after having amassed over 3.5 million followers and 500 million+ views across my platforms. When I receive comments about how my videos brighten someones day, or even has saved someones life, my heart is warm and full. From awards for my contribution in the creative space to being invited to do speeches in University Institutions and partnering with meaningful organizations to make an impact, this career felt like a natural fit, as thought it chose me rather than the other way around.
In the midst of the ‘fame’ and newfound lifestyle, I never gave up on my studies. While my peers in the same social circle were flying out to LA to further pursue their career in content creation, I wished to stay grounded in my beliefs in the importance of academia and completed my undergraduate degree in sociology while working as a full-time content creator. Sure, being a content creator is thrilling. Of course I wanted to join my peers on that brand sponsored flight to Bora Bora. But between the experiences of temporary fun and the option to lift the burden of tuition fees from my parents’ back by earning my own funds to pay for my own education? I chose the latter.
To be quite honest, if you asked Karen from 10 years ago, I never would have thought that I would end up with the privilege of pursuing a career in nursing. Nursing being my second degree, feels like an organic transition for me from the professional experiences I’ve gained throughout the years. I obtained my first bachelors in Sociology amidst the uncertainty of Covid-19 and applied to internship roles shortly after graduation. I eventually transitioned into a leadership role in business development and research in the Mental Health field. During my time working and collaborating with psychotherapists and other mental health professionals, I realized how much I loved interpersonal communication and mental health care. I am 100% a people person. Throughout the years I have come to realize the compassion and patience I have with working with people can be expressed outwardly though a rewarding career in healthcare.
According to Buchan’s (2020) journal article for The Nursing and Allied Health Database, a career in nursing is often seen as a heroic calling for most, and a pragmatic career choice for some, especially thought the nursing staff shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic. But none of these two descriptions even begin to reflect the tough realities of the job (Buchan, 2020). I know I am drawn to helping others because it is ingrained in my personality. I am also aware that the profession requires an extensive amount to drive, persistence, and mental fortitude. I am proud to say that I am a character who is captivated by the prospect of overcoming challenges, with the reward being being able to help someone or save a life.
I also realized that I am not as motivated when facing a computer, on my own, for 8 hours a work day. Ironic, since my first career that made me enough money to go to school requires lots of screen time.
I must humbly state that my Nursing journey is inspired by a lot of the interpersonal relationships I’ve had throughout my young adulthood journey thus far. Being in the beginning stages of my nursing career, for the next 10 years of my nursing career, I will be in what Shirey (2019) describes as the ‘Promise Phase’ of my career. This next decade will be my time to transition as a new graduate to a novice nurse entering my first registered nurse position to build my knowlege, skills, and abilities in order to get exposure from a wide variety of experiences. This will be my time to discover where my strengths lie and position myself to make significant leaps as “The better and more realistic the early socialization process is, the more likely career expectations will be validated” (Shirey, 2019). I intend on making Nursing my long term career, and I am looking forward to all of the challenges set fourth ahead of me that will eventually mould me into a seasoned, experienced, and competent nurse.
Being in Trent Universities Compressed Nursing Program now, I am beyond excited to learn from and be inspired by my community of nursing leaders. Life is multidimensional. I strongly believe in integrating a passion into various aspects of our lives as we grow and evolve over time. I look forward to making meaningful contributions as a healthcare professional as I embark on my nursing journey.
References
Buchan, J. (2020). Heroic calling or fallback option: it’s no way to choose a career in nursing. Nursing Standard, 35(12), 25–25. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.35.12.25.s13
Shirey, M. R. (2019). Building an extraordinary career in nursing: Promise, momentum, and harvest. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 40(9), 394–400. https://doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20090824-01