I entered nursing with the idea I could make a difference only to discover that nurses are basically legal drug dealers. I was spending my days shoving medicine cups full of pills to the patients. Pills that don't cure anything but simply mask a symptom. Doctors tell people to reduce their stress but don't tell them how. I am hoping for an opportunity to educate patients on how to manage their stress, which is one of the major causes of many health conditions. I started my career as a surgery nurse, which had been my passion since I was four years old. I loved the one-on-one quick interactions I had with my patients. I also loved that I could make even the most anxious patients more comfortable in the unknown surgery environment. Getting to know my patients was one of my favorite parts of the job. After I experienced a massive stroke at 35 years old, I attempted to return to work in nursing homes, but I could never find where I fit anymore as a nurse. I discovered nursing home nursing does not allow you the time to get to know your patients because you only have time to throw pills at them. I also discovered nursing homes are basically only trying to keep the state surveyors happy, trying to meet ridiculous standards. My empathic nature was exploited in the nursing home environment. I couldn't walk in the door without feeling the despair of many of the residents and my coworkers.