Nurse Faye Lewis went from fast food worker to starting a doctorate program to become a family nurse practitioner.
“Over the years I’ve often called my mom, upset, saying things like I can do this or, I’m just done. But, my mom always encourages me and says, keep going, you’ve always made it work,” she said.
‘Motivate me’
Then she found a collection of items that not only serve as a reminder of what she is capable of but have also become a source of great inspiration for others.
“I found a plastic baggie full of my old badges and noticed that my new badge now listed my BSN (Bachelor Science of Nursing), I snapped the photo – to encourage myself. I had been through a lot, and I knew I could do this too. I didn’t post it for attention. I just wanted to have this photo to motivate me through my doctorate program,” she said on a popular nurse website.
But Faye didn’t realize the effect her post would have on some many others. Hundreds of thousands shared it and praised her for how far she had come and never giving up on her dreams.
“I didn’t know such a simple post would inspire so many. People were telling me that the post gives them hope. I owe that to God,” she said.
But, more obstacles lay ahead for Faye.
When she was 16, Faye got her first job at KFC.
She received 11 academic scholarships for college and most of her classes gave her excellent grades. She also became pregnant with her first child when she was in her freshman year.
While working for KFC to support her child and studies she was promoted to manager and she took her board exam on the same day as a managers meeting at KFC.
She then got her Associates degree in nursing.
But tragedy would follow when soon after she lost her father, three cousins and the family dog in a house fire.
“One of my best friends called me hysterically crying. When I heard the news, I dropped to my knees. My mom made it out alive just by a miracle of God.”
But despite the hard times, dark days and struggles Faye persisted, knowing her father wouldn’t have wanted her to quit, and became a registered nurse.
“The hospital did a photo shoot and flew me down to Florida for the awards. I had no idea it would be on the billboard,” she said.
“Nursing is my calling and I love what I do. I don’t do it for the money – I’m far from rich. It is my passion and I love helping others.”
What an incredible inspiration this young woman is. Please share to pay tribute to her hard work and determination.