"...it is important to always remember that circumstances do not define who you are."
Pronouns:she/ her/ hers
Work Title (s) :Registered Nurse
Favorite Quote:“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau
Who is Elisabeth?It takes an immense amount of bravery to leave everything you know behind and come to a new country where you know neither the language nor the culture, but my parents did just that when they left Guanajuato to start a better life for their family here in the United States. I don’t think I thank my parents enough for all that they have sacrificed in order to give my two sisters and me the opportunities they were not able to have growing up. I first learned to speak English in my kindergarten classroom, and before my English was even comprehendible I became my mom’s personal interpreter. When my mom became pregnant with my youngest sister I would go with her to all her prenatal visits with the doctor. This was a time when medical interpreters were not as readily available, so I would serve as the bridge between my mom and the health care providers. This experience sparked my interest in healthcare. Now as a nurse I strive to assist patients through some of their most vulnerable moments by being an advocate for their health and holistic wellbeing, and by educating and empowering them to take care of their health.
Did you attend college? If so, how did that impact your life? I was the first in my family to attend and graduate from college. Being a first generation college student meant not having the luxury of being able to go to my parents for help, but through their own experiences they showed me how to have determination and resilience. Navigating through the college experience on my own taught me how to be self-efficient and self-reliant, but also to recognize when I needed to seek help.
What has been the biggest challenge you have had to overcome? Coming to terms with the fact that things don’t always go as planned and that it’s ok. It can be really hard when one has to veer from the original plan they had envisioned would lead them to accomplishing their goals, but there is not just one way of getting somewhere. Challenges will inevitably come up, and some will take longer to over come than others but it is important to always remember that circumstances do not define who you are.
What is the one thing you are working on daily? As a recent graduate and new nurse right now I’m trying to figure out the whole “work-life balance” thing. I am constantly learning so much on the job that it is easy to quickly become overwhelmed and exhausted, so I make it a point to make time outside of work for the things that I enjoy and to surround myself with positivity as much as possible.
One piece of advice you wish someone would have given you during college or professional career? I wish someone would have told me to be a little more gentle with myself. I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself, and looking back I feel that I put a lot of unnecessary stress on myself over things that in the grand scheme of things were so trivial.
What is your favorite kind of coffee? Chai lattes!!
En Solidaridad,
Araceli
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