Changing directions too late?

The first time I've ever been hospitalized was to have Arwen. That experience was awesome. My labor and delivery nurse was so wonderful and I'll never ever forget her (for professional purposes I'll keep her name hush hush). Then I had Logan. I had her as my delivery nurse again (my son was born on her birthday!) and again, she was the most wonderful and caring person in the world. I actually began at that point to consider a career in nursing, especially as a L&D nurse. Then I had Vincent.

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My labor and delivery with Vincent was terrible. I don't blame my L&D nurse at all but the other nurses in post partum were horrible to me. I didn't receive pain meds on time (I had a 3rd degree tear that absolutely hurt) and on one occasion (directly following the birth and I'd been without any medication for about 5 hours and my epidural was all but gone) my husband lost it when I was writhing on the bed in pain. I swore afterward I'd never return to that hospital and the experience made me fear if we ever had another child. It was that bad.

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Fast forward to Annabel's delivery. I was taken in by the wonderful nurse about to change shifts. She took me in, got me set and introduced me to my new nurse (whos name I will also keep hush hush). This nurse for Annabel's delivery was an angel sent down from above I swear. She took the best care of me, didn't let me hurt at all and comforted me when I had all the fears I did from the complications. She was the nurse sent for during my break down the next morning following a failed IV insertion. She not only started my IV and calmed me but she also accompanied me to have my tubal surgery. I was so grateful to her that I had Jimbo pick her up a gift basket from the Fudgey Nut. I'm not sure if this fantastic woman is aware of the huge impact she has made upon me.

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From her kindness I have a more intense desire to enter nursing school. I love helping others and I'd like to pay her kindness toward me forward. My only hesitation is my age. I'm 30 years old now and it would mean starting over (although not totally, I do have credits I can use but I'd have to take a lot of classes. Education and nursing are two very different fields). My desire to do this is becoming more solid as I'm afraid of needles and especially IV's but have began to investigate how one learns to insert them and do blood draws. I'm even willing to be stuck myself by other students in order to learn this essential part of nursing.

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Will this happen? I'm not sure. As with anything, I always go over things with a fine tooth comb. Also I have a few years until I could attend college again (at least on the basis of more than one class per semester).

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I've been thinking of sending the nurse that has impacted me so deeply flowers with a card to convey just how much she did and what it has meant. Those women who are fortunate enough to have her provide their care truly are blessed. She's that good.