Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Cepeda.
Samantha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After my hysterectomy last November due to endometriosis, I experienced life as the patient instead of the nurse. I was so accustomed to being everything for everyone that when it came time to be there for myself, I had nothing left to give. It literally took the removal of 60% of my reproductive organs for me to learn how to take care of me. I needed to nurse myself back to health across all avenues. I had a six week long intensive healing retreat (okay fine, it was bedrest 😅) and it forced me to be okay with not being okay sometimes. The world kept spinning even when it felt like mine stopped. I refocused and recharged to heal, and stopped apologizing for it. And that was the key.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I had my surgery five days after I got married so I experienced this great loss right after I experienced great gain. I was all over the emotional spectrum but the emotions of never being able to have kids myself came in waves. Sometimes I’m prepared for them and sometimes it feels like I’m going to drown. Not being able to do what your body was literally made to do can take a toll on how you view yourself and value yourself. Taking the time to allow yourself to feel and learn from what life is trying to teach you is key in overcoming those narratives.
Please tell us about The Nurse Sam.
I created The Nurse Sam to redefine the term ‘work-life balance’ to: #1 actually make it obtainable and more importantly, realistic! #2 increase the talk of the importance of self-care and life balance within the field of nursing and beyond.
I help nursing students survive nursing school through study guide kits and creative study strategies. There’s a lot of things that you have to deal with in nursing that nursing school doesn’t address. I aim to address those things and arm students and new grad nurses with the resources needed to survive nursing.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I’ve always had an active imagination and a love for the creative arts. Being involved in performing arts taught me the discipline and need for consistency that it takes to be successful in any field.
Contact Info:
- Website: Thenursesam.com
- Email: info@thenursesam.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/thenursesam
- Facebook: Facebook.com/thenursesam
- Other: Shop.thenursesam.com/squeeze-page
Image Credit:
Samantha Cepeda
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