Yvonne Washington-Turay:  

Life I believe that most people have a turning point in their lives that leads them to this profession. For some, it was a life long desire, others job dissatisfaction,and for others it was a need to find a purpose and a reason for living. My turning point happened twenty years ago. In February 1984, I was depressed, suicidal and seven months pregnant with my fifth child. I was in a troubling marital situation, on welfare and in a state of agonizing hopelessness. Nothing was going right for me. One night, as I sat on my bed in my bedroom, I began to pray and I asked God to help me find the reason and the purpose he put me on this earth. I cried endlessly, soaking my sheets and clothing. (My children were sleeping and I did not want to awaken them so I had my face tucked down in the bed). As I prayed and cried, I began to recall a time in my life when I enjoyed life and saw a hope for the future. I remembered the time when I was in college studying to be a nurse. (I had taken a leave of absence in my junior year and never went back to finish.) I began to pray, Lord if you make me a nurse, I will be your nurse. I go anywhere that you send me and I will be available to do you will. Then next day I went to the local college, American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts and I filled out an application for admission to their nursing school. About a week later, I was called for an interview. There I was, full bellied and wobbling going to speak with the Dean of Nursing. When I arrived, the look on her face told me she had doubts. But when I left, she seemed optimistic and willing to allow me to enter the next class in September 1984. Approximately three weeks later, I received and acceptance letter. I was elated. Now I saw a hope and a vision for my life. While my living conditions did not improve immediately, I now saw a purpose and a vision for my life; I was going to be a nurse. After three long years of intensive studying and clinicals I graduated with honor in the class of 1987. This was an emotional day for me because I had come through "many dangers, toils and snares" to get to this point. Through those years many obstacles came, but this time they never prevented me from quitting. My first call of duty of the United States Air Force. I made a commitment to serve protect and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies domestic or foreign. I served on active duty for 10.5 years traveling from Massachusetts to Florida, Florida to Alaska and finally ending my career in Maryland at Andrews AFB. During those years I worked in many areas Med/Surg to PACU. While still on active duty, I obtained my Masters Degree in 1999. After leaving the military, I began to do local travel nursing in the DC, Maryland Virginia area. I enjoyed working at the various hospitals. While the work was taxing, at times, I was always available for duty. During the past few years I have traveled to Africa do personal medical ministry. Recently, I was asked to travelled to the Caribbean t...Expand for more