My name is Brenda Armstrong. I have been a registered nurse for 34 years. 33 years ago, when I first came to Yellowstone National Park, I walked into the clinic at Mammoth Hot Springs and asked how to get a job there. With very little nursing experience, I was patted on the head and told to check back.
I was never in a position to pursue the dream of living and working in Yellowstone. In actuality, I think I forgot about the dream for a very long time. I worked at hospitals and clinics in Dallas, Plano and Denton, Texas, and gained a lot of knowledge. Some that would eventually prepare me for this position, and some that prepared me for life in general.
Last September, I found myself disillusioned with work. I felt sort of stuck, even though I had a great job and worked with a lot of great people. I went home one evening and had a long talk with my wife, Suzi. I told her how I felt, and I told her how unhappy I was. She listened. She worried. She crunched the financial numbers. And, most of all, she supported me. Together we decided it was possible for me to make a change.
I had no idea what I wanted to do. I didn’t know if it would be in a hospital setting, a clinic setting, or even in the medical field at all. I worked for a brief time at the Zoom Room in McKinney and worked my way from front desk staff to dog trainer. I absolutely LOVED working there. But I needed to bring home just a bit more cash. So, one autumn night, after a glass (maybe two) of my favorite Sauvignon Blanc, I thought “hmmmmm I wonder if there are any nursing jobs in Yellowstone?!?!?” So, without disclosing what I was doing to my sweet wife, I googled “nursing jobs in Yellowstone National Park”. Much to my surprise I hit the motherload. Somehow, I was guided at the moment to search just as the jobs were being posted. I applied and still didn’t tell Suzi. I never thought anything would come of it. Well, then I got an email inviting me to chat with HR. I did. I was told I didn’t have the qualifications they were looking for. Meaning – I didn’t work in either ER or ICU at that time. So, I let it go and prepared to move on. I told Suzi about it and let her know I was not qualified. I got a job working in a PACU in McKinney. Made some amazing friends and learned SO much – including my weaknesses as a nurse.
Not long after I started working there, I got an email that informed me I was a candidate for the Yellowstone position. Three interviews later, I had somehow managed to land my dream job. When things started to get serious, Suzi and I found ourselves facing the reality that we might be living apart for up to six months.
My wife is a saint, and I cannot believe she chose to spend her life with me. I am so blessed. We talked and talked and talked about the transition. I kept asking for her permission. She told me I never have to ask for permission, because I am an adult and my own person. She said she felt as if she had to be fully supportive, because it was my dream. I will be forever grateful to her for being my rock and giving me her full support.
This blog was supposed to be up all summer, but I am severely technologically challenged and just figured that darn thing out. I will post as often as I can. Welcome to my blog.