Dr. Samuels-Laurent's Nursing Journey

[Audio] Welcome to the celebration of my nursing journey!.

[Audio] My rock, my hero, my mommy!! I'm not sure who loves school more but I'm so proud to follow in her footsteps. She too started with an associates degree in nursing then went on to earn her BSN, MSN as a clinical nurse specialist, and finally a post-master's certificate as a family nurse practitioner, all while raising a family! AND let's not forgot working two full-time jobs. She walked, so I could run!.

[Audio] After already having a bachelor's degree in psychology, I made the decision to return to school for nursing. I chose the quick path at the time which was community college. Who knew it would be the toughest path!! The program may only be 2 years long, but you are taught to hit the ground running when you finish..

[Audio] Though there were many sleepless nights, long study sessions, and lots of tears; apparently I made a good impression. The student nursing association recognized me as a student leader at the college. Oh yeah, some how I found time to be the vice president of the student nurses' association..

[Audio] After having been told our final exam was being changed 3 days before the exam and other behind the scenes shenanigans, I GRADUATED!!!.

[Audio] Then I passed the NCLEX in 75 questions on my FIRST try. After the computer shut off, I googled how many people fail the NCLEX in 75 questions and proceeded to have a full-blown panic attack on the side of the New Jersey turnpike. Thanks to my mommy and big sis for coming through as always and calming me down so I could drive home. Then I got home and tried to register to take the test again and wasn't able to, that's when I knew I passed. Then 2 days later I got email notification that I was officially a RN!!!.

[Audio] She cute, or whatever!!. Associate Degree Nursing.

[Audio] After a much-needed break to work, travel, and just enjoy life, I realized I needed to finish my education so back to school I went. After a couple courses on some old white women & community nursing, I officially earned my BSN degree!!.

[Audio] She still cute!!!. BSN Nursing. A person standing next to a computer Description automatically generated with low confidence.

[Audio] So while being cute or whatever, I discovered psychiatric nursing and instantly realized that's my niche. I knew I didn't want to work in any other area of nursing besides mental health so to show my dedication to the specialty I got board certified. Well the bonus from the VA was also a nice motivation..

[Audio] COVID hit and changed nursing forever. Since the world was shut down, I decided to go back to school to further my knowledge and career. Caught COVID along the way but thanks to that good good Moderna shot, ya girl bounced back from COVID in no time!!.

[Audio] Though there were many sleepless nights, long study sessions, and lots of tears; wait, didn't we already do this; oh that's right, grad school felt like nursing school all over again with clinicals, crazy exams, and this time working full-time as well. Thanks to my wonderful support system, including many in this room, I made it through!.

[Audio] That girl cute! I passed my nurse practitioner boards the FIRST time and no panic attack this time; just happiness!.

[Audio] Oh ya'll thought I was done?! Nope because I must be some sort of masochist! I decided to continue on to earn my doctorate. Another year of sleepless nights, long study sessions; okay okay not so much, but it was a lot of work. However, I did it and like my momma always said, "No one can ever take your education away from you!".

[Audio] She did it!! Dr. Samuels!. [image].