“You’re not reaching your full potential. You should be a doctor instead.”

At the lowly age of 17, I started college. Although enrolled in nursing school, I was filled with uncertainty. And not uncertainty like, “Should I pursue engineering instead? Would performing arts be a better fit?” More like, “But everyone’s told me I should be a doctor.”

And it was true. My favorite teacher in high school had said, “But why are you going to nursing school? You’re not reaching your full potential. You should be a doctor instead.” Other adults I knew and respected had made similar comments.