When the Dream Job Becomes the Wake-Up Call

08/04/2025

Today is a day I never imagined would happen.

I resigned from a department I once prayed to be part of, a place I believed would be the peak of my nursing journey. My best friend and I had dreamed of working there for years. We planned, prepared, and envisioned our future in that unit… until one person changed everything.

I was hired as a CTICU nurse, a role I had worked tirelessly for. I was excited and proud, ready to care for the critically ill population. I read books, watched videos, studied relentlessly, mentally preparing myself for the challenge ahead.

During orientation, I was scheduled to learn under two preceptors, one primary and one secondary, both known to be incredible teachers. But on my first day, neither of them was assigned to me. Instead, I was placed with someone I’ll refer to as Preceptor 3, because my original preceptor was away on vacation.

At first, I brushed off the long stares and subtle side-eyed glances. But my spirit felt uneasy, especially after I witnessed Preceptor 3 questioning my primary preceptor about my performance. Something felt off.

After a month of training with my original preceptor who truly was amazing, I was shocked to see a change on my schedule. Preceptor 3’s name appeared in place of the preceptor I was supposed to transition to.

I was stunned.

Not only was I trying to absorb new knowledge and think critically, but now I had the added weight of watching my back. The mental pressure was relentless. There was no grace, no patience, no true teaching only criticism and intimidation.

I eventually escalated my concerns to one of the CTICU educators, who informed the manager. I was told the situation would be addressed and for one brief week, the behavior softened. Then, it escalated and became worse than before.

In fear of losing the job I worked so hard for, I endured:

·       Being assigned tasks to make others’ work easier

·       Going 12-hour shifts without breaks, as if I needed to earn basic respect

·       Gossip whispered in halls

·       Being followed into patient rooms and supply rooms

·       Accusations spoken in front of leadership, only to be contradicted the very next day

When I was trusted to care for her most critical patient

I woke up many mornings crying. The stress seeped into my body and my spirit.

Until one day I surrendered.

I let go of control and handed everything to the universe, because the weight was too heavy to carry alone.

And that’s when something shifted.

I started noticing the gentle wind moving through the leaves.I began counting my breath.I found gratitude in small moments.I started healing.

Just when I believed my world was collapsing, a new one was quietly forming.

So no that coworker did not break me.She did not win.

What she did was unknowingly push me toward alignment, self-awareness, and my true path.

And for that, strangely enough…

I thank her.

 This is the beginning of my story and the rebirth of the woman I was always meant to become.