Kayla Pagles
I always knew that with whatever aspiration I wanted to achieve, my parents always did what they could do to help me achieve that goal.
My journey pursuing a healthcare career began when my dad was rushed to the ICU with stage three lung cancer. I was 14 at the time and so scared. The staff at the hospital were phenomenal and took me under their wing. The nurses explained everything that they were doing. Taught me what the different things on the hospital monitors meant, and let me stand next to them while explaining my dad’s medications and medical devices. To see the way my dad was cared for and how empathetic they were to my dad, my mom, and me, made me feel so special.
Two years later, his cancer returned aggressively. This time, doctors could only make him comfortable. Before he passed, I promised my dad that nursing was for me. My dad opened that dream for me. I wanted to be that shoulder that my patients or family could cry and lean on for empathy, care, support, and love.
In my senior year of high school, I put myself through a Certified Nursing Assistant program. I had tremendous support from my mom, cheering me on, saying that “Dad would be so proud”. That statement stayed with me through the completion of that whole program. And I started working, right where my dad stayed, at Stormont Vail Hospital as a CNA. I care for the sickest of patients and their family members, just like the staff took care of my family when I was on the other side.
Last year, I lost my mom unexpectedly from her own health complications. Losing both my parents, my biggest cheerleaders, has been devastating. But I remind myself daily that they are still with me, urging me forward.
Now, as I study nursing school at Rasmussen University, I carry their encouragement with me. When I feel burnt out, I hear their voices telling me they’re proud. That strength fuels me to continue. I am pursuing nursing because I know I can make a positive impact on my patients and their family members' lives.
