When I initially started the Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program, I was enthusiastic. However, the experience was short-lived because my family endured a devastating, life circumstance which impacted my ability to proceed with the Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program. My family was immersed with the responsibility of caring for my ailing mother in law in our home for hospice. Due to the increased responsibilities I, unfortunately, had to withdraw from the program. This life changing event challenged my family’s mental fortitude and caused me to focus on the importance of balancing mental health and mental illness. After the loss of my mother in law, the emotional encounter allowed me to view my pediatric patients and their
