Nicole O'Neil
University of San Francisco March 22, 2014,
What does vocation mean to you? A calling? A voice within? At its purest form, vocation can be perceived as an inner calling that’s already been predetermined at birth. It is a direction that is destined for one’s life to go whether it wants to or not (Palmer, 2000, p.17) From a very young age, I felt this purpose. This calling. This internal desire to fulfill a need I had in my heart. This vocation I speak of? Nursing. So how do we decipher the meaning of true vocation? By looking within and listening to our internal voices that are telling us to accept this gift we have to offer ourselves and the world, we are then able to fulfill our authentic selfhood given to us at birth. When we lose sight of our destination, we must remember who we were at birth and essentially take hold of the gift of true self (Palmer, 2000, p.12). When individuals enter a profession for the wrong reasons, rather than from their deep inner calling and purpose in life, they fail in their attempts and negatively not only affect their lives, but also the lives of others surrounding them (Palmer, 2000. p, 26). It’s one effect of giving something one doesn’t possess. Success comes from fulfilling one’s life purpose. Failure comes from an attempt to prove to one’s self while exceeding limits. The purpose of this paper is to further define vocation and how it applies to the writer. This paper is also intended to allow the writer the opportunity to create and stimulate personal ideas and goals after graduation with a CNL to establish futuristic outcomes for further educational avenues, career paths, as well as personal ambitions and goals for overall growth as a nurse, mother, and human being.
My vision for my CNL was to make changes. To make a difference. To truly embrace the CNL role in every interaction I encounter with every single patient. To lead by example and inspire others in the process. To end my days knowing I changed lives in the process of fulfilling my internal desires and vocation in life. I’m happy to report, I have done just that. Since
enough to become a member at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) as a clinical nurse leader in the specialty clinics. While fulfilling the CNL role as a registered nurse, I soon after started a DNP program at Azusa Pacific in CA. I graduated and immediately after entered a family nurse practitioner certificate program. I am now a licensed FNP with my DNP still currently working at CHOC. Although not active in the role of a CNL, like I previously was, working as a CNL in my past has helped foster my FNP practice and skills. By having such a strong clinical background in leadership prior to obtaining my FNP, I was able to easily
transition into full acceptance of all patient outcomes; effectively leading a team towards greater patient outcomes; creating a vision that promotes excellence and quality improvement; as well as embark on the creation of many public health promotion programs through CHOC in this given community. When I’m not working at CHOC, I have the fortune of spreading my knowledge and inspiring the younger generation by lecturing at the local community college that I initially graduated nursing school from. I have managed to accomplish all my personal, as well as professional, goals since graduating nursing school in 2012.
I believed in all this so much to my core as part of my authentic gift and vocation that happiness came easily to me. Reflecting back on my nursing and parenthood journeys, I see now how significant it is to have a passion. Passion brings inspiration to others, motivates others to seek their own vocation, and sets an eternal path of happiness. Once these are all obtained by discovering one’s vocation, making a difference in people’s lives comes naturally. I’ve learned I’m really good at motivational speaking and connecting with people. I also believe this played a significant role in my journey to self-discovery and helping others begin to make changes. While lecturing my students, I use my internal passion, desire to make the world a better place, and love for nursing, to motivate others towards their own individual vision for the future and passions in life. I believe in the power of touch, and how significant it is to be silent sometimes and just simply listen. To listen to life’s silent gestures, helping to guide us all down our own road to self-discovery. There have been moments throughout my career where I just sit, reflect, and listen as my vocation speaks from within. My vocation has been enhanced since graduating with a DNP and FNP as it allowed me further opportunities to make a difference in the world, to assist others in goal completion, and inspire others to be the best they can be whether this is for their health, their families, or their life visions.
dreams, goals, and personal visions and to always aspire to be the best version of themselves possible. I expect my students, my son, and my patients to give it their all every time and to always stay true to their authentic vocation. I don’t care if you tell me your passion and vision is to be the best cook at McDonald’s. Guess what? It’s something. If it’s something that your passionate about, as I am with nursing, making a difference, and inspiring others with my actions and words, then it something that’s worthy of your commitment and passion.
Upon some deep self-reflection and reminiscing, my vision became even more crystal clear to me. Although my personal vision isn’t as specific, and is more in general terms, my vision is my passion and my passion is my vocation, which all leads back to nursing. My vision was carried out as I saw each graduating class of my students take their nursing oath with tears of joy in their eyes. Each class showed promise. Promise for the future. It is my vision and passion that is in their eyes on graduation day. My vision was seen when one of my top students cried in my office about how inspiring my words were to her and how I showed her the path of self-discovery. My vision was visible through my son’s goals as he chose to become a social worker for the youth and help guide lost children through the love, passion, commitment, and strength he exhibited for these children. My vision was seen as I watched so many patients in my family clinic beat the odds and overcome their own internal obstacles. Their strength fouled my vision and allowed me to see firsthand how change is possible and how the world is changeable.
passion and change follows suit. It’s a silent but powerful source of energy that uplifts others and inspired many in the process. It may sound cliché to others, but to me, the world can be a better place and making a difference is feasible. My vision is now carried through each student I have had the pleasure of teaching; each patient that has changed their healthy habits and conquered their genetic battles; and my son as he too helps to make a difference in people’s lives.
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