heroes
HannaH
HannaH
HannaH
Why was I willing to go into debt to become "essential", and why I would do it again...
"When I graduated nursing school I became an emergency room nurse, which was my dream from day one. Almost immediately, I felt the pull to continue my education to receive my bachelors in nursing. I wanted to be considered an expert in my field; I wanted to learn everything I possibly could to better serve our patients and their families, and I knew I had to continue my education to achieve this.
Two years later once I obtained a BSN status, then my next challenge was gaining a certification in emergency nursing (CEN). In the emergency room, I became a triage nurse, a preceptor to new graduate nurses, a charge nurse and then a clinical team lead. With new responsibilities, I again felt the drive to pursue higher education so I could better serve students, colleagues, and direct reports. I applied for a master’s degree in nurse education (MSN) and a year and a half later, I reached this goal.
What I did not consider while obtaining my nursing degrees was the financial hardship that would occur down the road due to student loan debt, I was only thinking of how best to serve. I started my nursing journey as an 18 year old, with student loan after student loan flashing before my eyes, accepting them, and telling myself “I will just pay them off later, everyone has student loans.” Now as I stare at the debt that I accrued over the last 8 years, I feel no regret, because I would do it again in a second if I had to start over.
Becoming a nurse was my way of responding to the call of millions of people in need of acute care. I put helping others before myself, by assisting in emergency relief with State Medical Assistance Team, advocating for patients who cannot advocate for themselves, and by teaching and supporting new nurses-because that is what my heart tells me to do. I will continue my education because I am motivated to continue being a resource in the nursing profession, and to care for patients to the best of my ability. Nursing is truly not a job to me, it is a calling, and I am fortunate to have been able to answer the call, especially during this unprecedented time in our country."
Hannah Betancourt, MSN, RN, CEN, CNIV
Enhanced Recovery Nurse Coordinator
Op Srvs and Periop Admin
Duke Regional Hospital
Elle
HannaH
HannaH
Why was I willing to become "essential" and how I know I made the right choice...
"I actually didn’t know I wanted to be a nurse. There was a time in my life, in my second year of college, that I felt very lost. I didn’t know what I wanted but I knew I wanted to make a difference and feel like I was some type of importance to society. I realized I really liked the medical field. My mom works in the lab at Wake Med and I would always visit her on her lunch breaks and walk around the hospital in awe of all the moving parts and important faces. I started my search by becoming a CNA. I felt a type of compassion that wasn’t always there. Then I became a phlebotomist. I felt courage, from my successful sticks, that wasn’t always there. Then, after 3 long years of testing, waiting, and praying I got into nursing school. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life emotionally, mentally and physically. It became worth it when I heard my preceptor tell me how proud she was of me, when a patient told me I made them feel comfortable, when I cried with woman who’s husband just passed from cancer. Now I have the strength that wasn’t always there. It takes a village to raise a nurse and I have had so much support from those who helped me gain the compassion, courage, and strength I’ve never felt before. Becoming a nurse has made me feel like I belong and I have a purpose. I actually tested positive for Covid-19 along with other coworkers. All I could think about was going back to work because I felt so useless, no purpose. It confirmed that being on the frontline is where I need to be, not just in this pandemic, but everyday. In December I will graduate with my BSN where I started in 2014. You can definitely say I took the road less travelled, but being where I am today makes it all worth it.