6 minute read
DEFYING THE ODDS
A Nursing Student’s Inspiring Story
By Maggie Aime, RN
TALES OF TRIUMPH often arise from adversity, and Jasmine Schultz’ story is a shining example. She’s a remarkable person whose life is a testament to courage, perseverance, and an unyielding passion for nursing.
Despite a genetic mutation leading to chronic conditions, such as gastroparesis and heart failure, Jasmine not only navigated the challenges of nursing school but also worked part-time as an ER tech. Her dream? Becoming a bedside ICU nurse.
A Fight For Survival
But Jasmine’s health took a dramatic turn. In May 2023, she was rushed to the hospital with sepsis. Jasmine’s organs began failing, requiring ECMO and dialysis. She coded multiple times. Her prognosis was grim, and doctors encouraged her family to say their goodbyes.
Not one to give up, Jasmine defied the odds and began responding to treatment. Still, the battle was far from over. Weeks of surgeries followed, resulting in the amputation of her lower legs, her hands, and part of her arms due to extensive necrosis. This left her as a quadruple amputee.
In the subsequent months, Jasmine faced even more challenges with urosepsis and meningitis. Despite it all, her strong spirit persisted.
Even though you’re different, it doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve your goals. Even in a wheelchair, I could get my doctorate. Being sick, being different, makes things harder, but it doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your goals and be whatever you want to be.
— JASMINE
Family, Friends, And Furry Companion
Throughout this challenging time, Jasmine found strength from various sources. Beyond an exceptional medical team treating her as their own, Jasmine’s family, friends, and Duchess — her loyal Chihuahua — played crucial roles.
Jasmine spoke of her grandmother, whose daily hourlong drives to the hospital to sit at her bedside provided comfort amidst the storm. The hospital bent the rules to allow Duchess to visit. “For hours, she would just come lay with me because she’s quiet and she just likes to snuggle,” Jasmine recalled.
Unique Insights From Her Journey
Jasmine — on the verge of completing nursing school — reflected on how her journey influenced her perspective on nursing. She said, “As a patient, it’s very different. It’s not fun to be on the other side.” She described feeling excluded at times from conversations between healthcare professionals.
Highlighting the contrast between the roles of a healthcare provider and a patient, Jasmine emphasized the challenges patients face — the needle pokes, tests, and the constant disruptions to their sleep.
Addressing the hidden psychological toll of hospitalization, Jasmine openly shared, “Being on the ventilator for weeks at a time comes with a lot of trauma, a lot of PTSD, and memories.”
She underlined the importance of acknowledging and addressing the emotional impact of these experiences, adding, “In my case, I was barely sedated, awake a lot, and it touches on the fact that with all that medical care, there’s a significant amount of medical PTSD — a very real thing.”
Persevering Despite Major Setbacks
Before her hospitalization, she was just one year shy of completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She was excelling in the program, earning straight As. This major setback was incredibly discouraging for Jasmine who had dreamed of becoming a nurse since childhood. “It felt like they just took away my career that I had wanted since I was eight years old,” she shared.
However, Jasmine is determined to finish what she started. She plans to resume classes online soon. Once she is more independent, Jasmine hopes to return to in-person nursing school, where she knows accommodations will need to be made.
“It’s hard to be the one left out, but I’m determined to go back to school and finish,” stated Jasmine, recalling a challenging moment in her freshman year when she was told she couldn’t succeed in the program. She’s eager to prove her doubters wrong and show she can obtain her degree despite health challenges.
The unconditional support of friends was a lifeline for Jasmine in school. She recalled their assistance in small but meaningful ways — offering to hold doors or carry her bag. “They included me in everything [and] they treated me the same,” she said, highlighting how inclusion and support can empower people.
Jasmine hopes to graduate with her BSN in 2025 and eventually pursue a master’s degree. As for her nursing career, she’s considering options like telehealth or triage. Wherever she lands, Jasmine will surely bring invaluable perspective shaped by her experiences as a patient.
Focus On Possibilities, Not Limitations
“Even though you’re different, it doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve your goals. Even in a wheelchair, I could get my doctorate. Being sick, being different, makes things harder, but it doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your goals and be whatever you want to be,” Jasmine stressed, urging us to stay focused on what we can accomplish rather than being limited by our circumstances. She continued, “I’m just grateful that I’m alive. I defied all odds.”
At the same time, Jasmine was candid about the daily frustrations of losing her independence and having to rely completely on others. “I get upset that I don’t have hands, so I can’t do much without hands. And I get upset because I can’t do anything. Losing your independence is by far one of the hardest things in the world,” she admitted.
Yet she’s working diligently to regain autonomy through rehab. She’s prepared to relearn how to walk using prosthetics, and she approaches the tough road ahead with grace.
Jasmine’s advice to nurses? Be attuned to possible signs of pain or distress in patients, even when they’re sedated. She advocates for increased psychosocial support and trauma-informed care, especially for patients navigating frightening experiences after life-threatening conditions.
Through her trial, Jasmine gained hard-won wisdom and empathy that will surely make her an exceptional nurse. Her encouraging words and determined spirit inspire hope and resilience.
FOLLOW JASMINE’S JOURNEY
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Maggie Aime, RN, is a freelance health and medical personal finance writer. She’s the owner of TheWriteRN.com. When she’s not writing, she can be found relishing a breathtaking sunrise, making memories with her children, or rekindling her love of the piano.
