VERONICA

“I’ve learned the opportunities are endless.”

Veronica Maine has been thinking about nursing since she was four years old when she first developed asthma. She would tell her mother that she had to become a nurse so she could find a cure.

In high school, she was a part of the Regional Occupational Program (ROP) (a career training program designed for high school juniors and seniors. The goal of ROP is to help students learn about career opportunities and develop job skills). She took the Certified Nursing Assistant/Acute Care program where she learned to perform basic nursing assistant skills provided in an acute care setting and community health facilities. Veronica was on her way...so she thought.

One of Veronica’s first jobs as a Certified Nursing Assistant was at a convalescent home. This experience was very educational. Veronica was overwhelmed with the daily reality of caring for the elderly and coming face to face with the physical and psychosocial challenges associated with aging and not being able to meet all of their needs. She needed a moment to reflect and to reevaluate her career direction. After much consideration, she realized that within nursing there are many doors of opportunities and the continuum of care expands across many work environments. She soon learned that she truly enjoyed the inpatient setting. Working in the Intensive Care Unit as a CNA at Kaiser Permanente Hayward Medical Center was the catalyst for her next steps and put her into to action.

After giving birth to her daughter, Veronica decided it was time to work toward her BSN degree. She is currently attending Chabot College in Hayward as a freshman completing her prerequisites; expected date of graduation is 2009.

Veronica’s husband is also a student, so one of their big challenges is the “how to” juggle school schedules and being the parents of a 17 month old daughter.

Veronica thought she wanted to work in a hospital setting until she began working with so many nurses. “I don’t have to be confined to a hospital if I don’t want to,” she says enthusiastically, “because I’ve learned the opportunities are endless.” Although she hasn’t made up her mind, forensics and neonatal care are in her radar. Nursing…One career with a thousand opportunities.