Portfolio Reflection

I knew I wanted to complete my bachelor’s in respiratory care because it was important

to me that we as respiratory therapists advance our education in the field we are practicing in. I

always refer to nurses; a nurse must obtain a bachelor’s in nursing in order to practice. Although

I do not plan on stay in this field for my whole medical career, I think this is a very important

concept to advance our field.

In April 2019, I went on to research different online programs that met my requirements.

The program had to be affordable, flexible, and be an RRT to BSRT program. I found the

University of Mary, inquired about the program, and started the next month. As I started, I

realized the staff was really there to help you succeed and I really liked that about this program. I

was instantly invested and determine to complete this program and reach my goals for this

chapter in my life.

One goal was to be more educated in respiratory beyond patient care. I wanted to be more

versed in hospital administration, healthcare reimbursement, medical research, and be more

prepared for leadership roles. The classes I took were challenging and engaging and allowed me

to retain information to use in my clinical practice. I think this was reflective in my work at the

hospital because I was asked to present in front of nurses, doctors, and management for our

department’s Education Day. I was very nervous but chose the topic of ventilator induced lung

injury and spent 2 months researching and developing a PowerPoint presentation. Presentation

day came and I did a great job, my supervisors and educators complimented me, and I gained the

trust and respect of the nurses and doctors I work with. After that day, I started to do more in-

services to nurses in the cardiac unit and I know it was because of the knowledge I gained

starting this program.

 Another goal of mine was for my children to see that hard work pays off. I am very goal

orientated and when my straight-line path from point A to point B started to do loops and curves,

I didn’t let that deter myself from achieving my goals. My eldest is 7 years old and often sees me

doing my homework and when the covid pandemic first hit and shut the schools down, my

daughter was very distraught. I truly believe that because she was so used to seeing me do my

homework on the computer, she quickly adapted and followed suit. She would often brag about

us doing homework together and I know it was easier for her to understand the importance of

getting or work done even though it’s not the way we are used to because we did it together.

My last goal for this journey was to feel proud of accomplishing something for myself. In

high school, it was instilled in all of us that after you graduate high school you go to college and

get a degree. I started on the right path but had to drop out because I couldn’t afford to continue.

I grew up in a single parent household that lived paycheck to paycheck, so I was elated to find

out that I got into college. I was so excited to go to college, but I was not educated on the true

cost of it. I dropped out because of the financial burden and shortly after I met my husband and

got pregnant at 21 years old. I was pregnant with no education and no career and I didn’t want to

continue my generational curse, so I set forth to become a respiratory therapist. I graduated and

landed a job at the best pediatric hospital in the country and now I am about to graduate with my

bachelor’s in the field that welcomed me with open arms. Life had a different path for me and

even thought it took 11 years, I feel so accomplished because I overcame obstacles and did it my

way.

This portfolio project really allowed me to look back and reflect on my journey and the

initial reason to why I wanted to do this in the first place. I would have never taken the time to

appreciate the blessings I was able to receive by completing this program and it’s really touching
to realize the support I received from the university, my job, and my family. I will forever

appreciate what this journey has taught me, and it has changed me for the better.