Heather Bates

Hello to all, my name is Heather Bates and I am a full-time single mother of 2 (15yo girl and 11yo boy) whom I owe my current profession to. Being a single mother since my son was 5months old, I worked many hours in jobs ranging from clerical to being a deputy sheriff, but time with my children was always rare and precious. The time we spent together was often sleeping, getting homework done, or trying to eat. My path started since both my children have a knack for the strange, unusual, but generally overdone trips to the ER, my son was diagnosed with Factor 7 by our own FNP, and my father's begging of "can't you find something to do besides tote a gun" I decided to join the FNP path. I never had a desire to be a nurse but I also knew the shortage of pediatric hemotologist in the area so I started school to the ill delight of both my children. They enjoyed being able to spend time with me at night, however they hated the constant nagging of I am doing my homework so why are you not doing yours. I graduated from Brunswick Community College in 2008 with my ADN, started working 40 miles from home only because I enjoyed the hospital (i live 10 miles from another hospital) and have worked on a pediatric, psychiatric, medical floor as well as a surgical/ tele floor, which is where I am currently working. I enjoy the pace of the surgical floor and as some say a glutton for punishment. I intend to complete this step on my travels in 1 year, work full time and part-time, survive my daughter's 16th birthday, and keep all my hair on my head while doing it. I have faith that God had a plan for me when he set me on this journey and I have no intentions of failing him. I plan on one day opening my own practice with my mother as my LPN (she is 54 and has just started her lifelong goal of becoming a nurse). Good Luck to all and remember to keep your head high.