First off, I’d like to thank you for agreeing to have your real-life story featured on Nursingpreneur. I’m building a high-quality resource platform for all budding nursing and midwifery students. Therefore, your experiences, thoughts, preferences, and suggestions are immensely valuable for Nursingpreneur’s growth.
To that end, I must say that it’s great to have you here.
Now, I’d like you to answer the following questions so that we can shed light on your story and experiences in an engaging way.
Let’s start! Shall we? (Write as much as you want, there’s absolutely no limit)
1. Could you please tell us a bit about yourself? How has life been treating you?
My name is Cynthia. I’m originally from Florida, and I’m currently a travel nurse. I’ve been a nurse for five years and a travel nurse for about six months. I’ve worked in a hematology/oncology PCU, an outpatient cancer center, a neonatal ICU, and a Bone marrow transplant unit.
Life has been pretty hectic. I’m working two jobs, trying to run a nursing business, and studying for different nursing certifications, all while trying to have a social life during a pandemic! Whew, talk about being tried!
2. How did you get into your current field? And do you enjoy doing it? (E.g. of Fields such as nursing, and midwifery)
As a child, I knew I wanted to be a nurse, and I’m happy that I stuck with the journey! It’s the most rewarding career! I love the versatility and flexibility I have as a nurse.
3. Could you please tell us about your favorite nursing or midwifery moment? (keeping things confidential for clients involved)
This is a hard one to answer! There have been so many moments in my career that I will hold near and dear to my heart. I honestly can’t pick a favorite moment, but I will say I enjoy putting smiles on my patients’ faces and already going above and beyond to do so!
So, any time I have to opportunity to do so, I make it happen!
4. What is the most striking moment of personal “failure” you’ve experienced in nursing or midwifery?
I attended Florida State University, and as a sophomore, I had to apply to the nursing program. I thought for sure I was going to get in! I had a 3.6 GPA and even took extra classes like Calculus to boost my chances.
Unfortunately, I got denied twice! The second time around, I applied to FAMU and Howard’s program as well. I only got into Howard’s program, but they required me to retake three classes: Biology w/ lab, chemistry w/ lab, and statistics.
The reason was the classes at FSU were for nursing majors only, so they were the “watered downed” version of the actual class. At first, I was excited that I had finally been accepted into nursing school, but I instantly felt defeated.
I was in the first week of the spring semester and had already had my classes picked for the semester. Howard’s program was starting in the summer, so I had no choice but to re-do my entire schedule that semester and take the classes they were requesting that I retake.
I ended up taking on 18 credits that semester. To cut a long story short, I ended up making all A’s that semester and was able to start nursing school at Howard that next semester!
5. How did you cope with your failure?
At first, I was very sad. I found out on my birthday the first time around that I was not accepted into the program. I told myself that it wasn’t meant for me to be a nurse. I stayed at FSU for another year; I changed my major to psychology, and I hated it. After a semester of being a psychology major, I knew that Nursing was the route that I needed to take, and I started to apply to different schools.
Okay! Let’s have a little insight into your entrepreneurial life
1. First things first, what comes to your mind when you think about entrepreneurship, in general?
Being my own boss is the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about entrepreneurship!
2. And, what comes to your mind when you think about entrepreneurship in relation to nursing/midwifery?
Entrepreneurship, in relation to nursing, gives me the autonomy to help my community and fellows and peers in the ways I feel I can help them. Also, as nurses, we have to learn to adapt to the changes as they come, and I feel this is the same in entrepreneurship.
Nursing teaches us to think on our feet and critically analyze situations, and these are all good qualities to have when running a business.
3. How do you think entrepreneurship or business per se is associated with a nurse’s/midwife’s life? (Influence on midset/expansion of opportunities, etc.)
Entrepreneurship is associated with a nurse’s life in many different ways. For one, a nurse’s schedule allows for a lot of time to work and grow a business. Nurses are hard workers and hustlers, and I believe you need to have a mindset in order to be an entrepreneur.
Now, let’s get into the most asked questions.
1. How did/do you maintain consistency in your doings?
I am a planner. I have to make a to-do list, and write every down! That’s the only way I get things down and the reason why my co-founder Sasha and I decided to design and sell planners.
2. How do you set priorities in your work?
I write all my goals for the week, and I prioritize them by importance. Being a bedside nurse has helped me with my time management skills, so writing a list always helps me see my goals and prioritize them by importance.
3. If you had one piece of advice to give an aspiring nursing and midwifery student, what would it be?
Get into the field of nursing because you love people, you love helping others, and you want to make a difference. Too often, I encounter nurses who hate nursing, and it shows in the way they care for others, and this is not fair to the patient.
The most important question coming your way.
Caffeine or not caffeine for shift work?
Not Caffeine for me! It gives me really bad acid reflux!
Where can people reach out to you? (social media and email)
Business Email: themodernrn20@gmail.com personal email Iyeshia.johnson92@gmail.com
Instagram: (personal) Nurseesh_ (Business) The.ModernRN
Website: TheModernRN.com
