In the turbulent year of 2020, while completing my second year of medical school in Anguilla, I like many others encountered an unexpected twist in my academic path due to the global pandemic. A directive to immediately return to Canada, coupled with the ongoing closure of testing centers, disrupted my scheduled Comprehensive NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) and USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) Step 1 exams. During this time, I grappled with the challenge of maintaining an extended “dedicated” study period that spanned several months, paired with ongoing isolation and fatigue. I observed the timeline between me and my aspiration of becoming a physician extending further into the future, all while the private loans I had taken out to pay for school on my own continued to accumulate. Facing an uncertain future with limited short-term rental options, my friends offered their couch and desk, a gracious gesture from those who believed in me, in my temporary home.

Instead of succumbing to the frustration and despair (particularly as my path to becoming a physician seemed to be continuously delayed), I chose to reframe my goals and explore alternative opportunities. I drew upon the skills I had acquired prior to embarking on my medical school journey, embracing the unique path it took me to get here with gratitude. As a registered nurse, it was heart-wrenching to witness my friends and former colleagues on the frontlines, battling limited resources and overwhelming challenges (Figure 1). After discussing the possibility with my family and friends, I made the decision to reenter the nursing field and reinstate my license.

Figure 1. Nursing school graduation. My journey has been supported by the friends I made over the years.

The nursing home a few steps from my friends’ apartment was more than grateful to have another member on their team while grappling with severe outbreaks and a staffing shortage (Figure 2). Taking a step back from medicine and prioritizing where my efforts were needed most turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions in my journey. The constant reminder of how precious life is was seen in how quickly it was taken from the patients. I had been given even more reason to keep pushing for my goals. I reserved a faith knowing this time in my life had come to serve a greater purpose. As soon as my chapter here was completed, I would be able to follow my dreams with even more persistence than I had before. It was here that I began to see the light in the darkness.

Figure 2. Reality of COVID. A quick selfie on night shift break to let my family know I was making it through my shift.

Despite the status of travel remaining unpredictable in Canada, testing centers began to open in availability again. I knew I couldn’t give up my employment completely in the event of another wave, so I made the choice to transition into a role as a floating case manager covering the various hospitals in the region. Here, I had been provided a structured schedule, while now diligently preparing for my exams during my off-hours. This role allowed me to take my nursing skill set into the realm of patient management and care coordination. This job not only provided stability, but also granted me priceless insights into the inner workings of the health care industry I would have never been able to witness otherwise.

Figure 3. Present. A smile beams through my mask at 5:00 am, another day full of learning opportunities ahead.

As I am about to begin my fourth year of medical school, I am surrounded by a feeling of immense gratitude for the opportunity to be in this position (Figure 3). My student loan still exists, but with this time I was able to gain experience, bring down my principal, complete Step 1, and ultimately come closer to my dream. These experiences enabled me to adapt to the challenges posed by the pandemic and have profoundly impacted my perspective on medical care. Now in my urology clerkships, brief moments of my past come to me and feel second nature—whether it is the patient returning to the ED struggling at home with the management of their indwelling catheter, a quick bladder scan in room #3, or providing comfort after a tough diagnosis. This “detour” in my life provided me with so much more than I could have ever imagined. If your own “detour” means you must take a year off to do research or pursue another field first, I encourage you to take in the opportunity and enjoy the experience without the fear of judgment. To quote Robert Frost “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” I hope you can take my words today, feel that you are less alone in financing your dreams, and continue to make a difference in this field.