Christine Beran

My journey into nursing began from tragedy. When I was 10 years old, my sister Susie, who was 17 and my idol, was taken by a drunk driver right in front of me. I was the only eyewitness. I came from a broken family with an alcoholic mother who was raising four girls alone, and I was the youngest. That day, I either had to stand there or filter it and make a change in my life, even at 10. I believe that's the day the Lord started working through me. I pursued nursing with determination, and because of my good academic performance, I was called to the principal's office and offered a spot in professional school. They paid $2,850 in 1982 for me to attend nursing school during high school. I worked every weekend at a local hospital, sleeping during lunch breaks, saving up to get out of my difficult situation. I graduated from nursing school at 17, a month before getting my high school diploma. I was valedictorian of my nursing school class, which started with 44 students but only graduated 12, with just two of us passing state boards. I have an eidetic memory, which means I retain whatever I read. Over 42 years, I've developed expertise in ventilators, IVs, wound care, and phlebotomy. Teaching is where my soul belongs, and I've had the privilege of mentoring many students who have stayed in my life. I never could have children due to a tumor in my uterus, but through teaching, I had 40 kids who became like family to me. I now have three girls and a boy who stuck with me and never left. I'm currently 58 and still passionate about changing the world and making people whole.