If there’s one thing I’ve learned in nursing, it’s that change is constant. No two shifts are ever the same, no two patients are ever the same, and—truthfully—no two seasons of life are ever the same either. Lately, I’ve been living that truth in a very real way.
For the past few years, labor and delivery was my home. It was where I learned to trust my instincts, advocate fiercely for patients, and stand in awe at the miracle of new life. The adrenaline, the teamwork, and the sacredness of witnessing those first cries—it all had my heart. To say I miss it would be an understatement. There’s a piece of me that will always long for the rhythm of the unit, the quiet anticipation before a baby’s arrival, and yes—even the unpredictable chaos that comes with it.
But life has shifted, and so has my career. I’ve recently transitioned into the world of fertility nursing, and it’s a whole new landscape. Instead of being there for the moment of birth, I’m walking alongside patients as they begin their journey to parenthood. The conversations are different, the procedures are different, and the emotions are often just as intense—but in a different way. It’s not always easy, and it’s certainly a learning curve, but I’m starting to see the beauty in this new chapter too. Helping families at the very beginning of their story has its own kind of sacredness, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
All of these changes are happening while I’m also juggling another big milestone: I’m in school to become a nurse practitioner. And not just anywhere in the process—I’m almost done. Just typing that feels surreal. For so long, this has been a dream simmering in the background of my life, and now I’m just months away from walking across that stage.
But if I’m honest? That excitement comes with a hefty dose of nerves. The closer I get, the more real the looming board exams feel. I know that every NP before me has faced those same butterflies, that same “what if I’m not ready?” voice in the back of their mind. Still, it doesn’t make it any less intimidating. I’ve been stockpiling study guides, reworking my schedule to carve out time for focused prep, and doing my best to remind myself that I can do this. Every late-night study session, every clinical hour, and every sacrifice has led me here.
This season of transition feels like standing at the edge of something new, with one foot still planted in the familiar. Part of me still aches for labor and delivery, part of me is learning to embrace fertility, and another part is laser-focused on the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. It’s a lot to hold at once. Some days I feel pulled in a hundred directions, and other days I feel deep gratitude that I even get to be on this journey at all.
If you’ve ever been in a season like this—whether in nursing or in life—you know how bittersweet it can be. Growth requires letting go of some things to reach for others. And while that can feel scary (and it definitely does), it’s also where the most meaningful changes happen.
So here I am: a nurse in transition, learning to embrace the unknown, praying through the nerves, and trusting that all of these pieces of my story are falling into place for a reason.
To my fellow nurses: if you’re in your own season of change, know that you’re not alone. Whether you’re switching specialties, starting school, or just trying to figure out what’s next, it’s okay to miss where you’ve been while also looking forward to where you’re going. It’s okay to be both nervous and excited. And it’s okay to give yourself grace in the process.
The truth is, nursing isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. And sometimes that calling takes us places we never imagined we’d go. For me, that’s fertility nursing and the path to becoming a nurse practitioner. For you, it may look different. But wherever you are, I hope you’ll lean into it with courage.
Because at the end of the day, every season shapes us into the kind of nurse we were meant to be.
Xoxo,
Ash, RN