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Driven to succeed as a health care professional, I pursued a career in nursing and medical records as soon as I completed high school. For almost fifteen years I have worked exclusively in the health care professions and am continually upgrading my professional skills. The first health care job I secured was in 1992, when I became a certified Nurse's Aide and was able to work one-on-one with patients as well as with nursing staff. Three years later I earned a second certification, as a Unit Coordinator. On my way toward a fulfilling career, in 1996 I passed the Medical Terminology exam and the following year became a Certified Unit Coordinator. Since then my career has sustained me fully, offering me personal fulfillment and financial security. Currently I am working towards an Associate's Degree and will work in the challenging field of medical records. Because of the intellectual and physical challenges and the opportunity to improve other people's lives, a career in health care remains my lifetime ideal.

The early years of my career introduced me to the basics of the health care profession. Focusing mainly on nurses' aide work, I worked directly with patients. Therefore, I was not subjected to an insulated desk job. Rather, I helped patients recover from surgery by making them as comfortable as possible. Delivering meals, assisting with personal care and hygiene, and maintaining a clean and safe care environment were among my tasks as a nurses' aide. In addition to the rewarding job of caring one-on-one for patients at Westwood Hospital in Texas, I also worked with an experienced nursing staff. As coordinator, my responsibilities broadened and I grew more confident in my decision-making and leadership abilities. Their advice and mentoring has helped me improve my ability to help others and has inspired me to deepen my understanding of the health care profession.

In addition to the early nurses' aide job at Westwood, I also performed front desk duties to gain a better understanding of hospital administration. Greeting family members, ordering supplies, maintaining and copying records, answering phones, and completing admissions and discharge papers kept me busy and helped create an organized and efficient working environment at Westwood. I enjoyed working at the front desk almost as much as I enjoyed working one-on-one with the patients as a nurses' aide. Because I enjoyed the front desk job at Westwood and felt confident and capable, I am currently seeking a career in medical records.

A key reason why I enjoyed working at Westwood was the nursing staff. Surrounded by supportive coworkers, I thrived and never grew discouraged even when we worked long hours or with difficult patients. My supervisor Liz became like a friend to me. One of the ways I gauge my success is through the eyes of my friends and family: the people I know and trust offer me feedback that helps me make changes in my attitude or skill set when appropriate. Unfortunately, Westwood was forced to shut down due to financial troubles and in 2002 I returned home to Illinois. Undeterred, I am now pursuing a higher degree to learn more about medical office procedures. The next phase of my health care career will be in the field of medical records. Because of my experiences at Westwood, working as a nurses' aide and as a front desk clerk, I feel confident and sure of my success.