This week I interviewed the nursing students at my school and as a result ended up learning a life lesson from a middle aged student, father, and full time worker.

By asking a few simple questions he revealed to me the struggles he’s faced trying to juggle doing it all. He explained how his wife has been a single mother for the past couple years while he’s been pursuing a nursing degree and working a full time job. It was truly heartbreaking to hear him confess his desire to be with his six kids while they are growing up. He said its one thing to show up to a soccer game and say hi, but another to be there with them when they are upset and talk to them about their day at school.

 

I asked him why he was pursuing a degree in nursing because he already had a degree and a full time job. That’s when he revealed his passion for helping others. He said he could work in the business field for the rest of his life but there’s no fulfillment in that. He saw that field as being all about earning as much money as you can and he didn’t see any long term happiness in spending his life doing that.

I think this is one of the biggest life lessons I can learn. While growing up society tells us that your aren’t successful in life unless you earn the maximum amount of profit and money that you can. I truly admire this nursing student for leaving the comfort of a well paying full time job to pursue something that he felt a calling to do.