Jennifer Cook

On December 3, 1970 in a huge hospital named Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Florida, a blonde haired, blue eyed baby girl came into the world. Her mother and father were overjoyed with the life they had created. Over the next 10 years, she remained in Pensacola. Unfortunately, like many marriages today, her mother and father's marriage ended in divorce. This led to her mother getting remarried and moving her and her younger brother to Athens, Alabama. This is when her personality began to take shape. The next 34 years would consist of various life altering events for her, which made her into the person she is today. Allow me to introduce myself to everyone. I am Jennifer Cook. My life may have begun in Pensacola, Florida, but the majority of my life has been spent in Athens, Alabama. I am now a widowed 45 year old mother of a 23 year old son and a 21 year old daughter.

 

I returned to college a little over 2 years ago, after approximately 20 years. I am proud to say that I am a Phi Theta Kappa member, and I earned an LPN certificate from Calhoun in 1993. I had originally started out taking classes to earn an RN degree. However, the way Calhoun offered the nursing program back then was much different than it is being offered now. In addition to this, I had two small children and was in the process of a divorce myself, when my name was finally called for the RN program. Due to these reasons, I was unable to complete my degree at that time. The last 20 + years, I have spent just trying to make a living as an LPN, but I have continued to have a yearning to complete what I started. So, I am back in school now to finish what I started all those years ago. I am currently working on finishing my RN - AAS through Snead State, and I am also currently enrolled at UNA (classified as a Junior) to simultaneously work on my RN - BSN. Ultimately, I would like to further my education to become a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Holistic medicine and/or Mental Health issues. I currently work full-time 12 hour shifts in a Geriatric Psych Unit. This position has proved to be the most physically and mentally challenging and demanding that I have held thus far, but I have learned to love it. Furthermore, it is expanding my knowledge of the mental health side of nursing.

 

Additionally, I am an avid "Do It Yourself" type of person. I enjoy making and creating anything and everything. I also enjoy sewing and crafting, when time allows me to be creative (which is pretty limited these days). Writing has always been a passion of mine, as well. I am currently in the process of publishing my first non-fiction book. At some point, I would also like to put a book together based around the benefits of using Alternative Health options.

 

Finally, I am also a huge advocate of quotes and poems about family and life in general due to the motivation and inspiration that they can provide.  I have learned through many hard life experiences that there are certain ways that you must live your life, so I would like to leave you with a thought to ponder on. 

 

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. . .  It's about learning to dance in the rain!"

                                                                                         

 

-----Vivian Greene.