Sarah Brissey

The buzzword phrase of this new economic age is "I'm reinventing myself". But this is not about reinventing Sarah, it's more about her rediscovery. Sarah Brissey's quest has been about coming back around to her true path, a path she began to tread as a freshman at Clemson University and as a child growing up with parents who worked in the health industry. Like so many young people in college, the multitude of career choices was daunting, and she doubted her original selection of health sciences and forensics. "I didn't think I would be able to separate life from work." Consequently she switched to graphic communications and earned her degree in 2007.

Sarah had ambitious, yet somewhat unrealistic, visions of working in what she perceived as the "glamorous" world of media and advertising. It allowed her to fulfill her creative side, but she found her soul was not being fed. "This field wasn't making me feel good about myself," she says.
A year ago, at the tender age of 24, she had the mature foresight to apply to the nursing program at Technical College of the Lowcountry. She was accepted, which she took as a sign to take the leap. Finances are tight, but she wants to complete her RN degree.

Like many new endeavors, the program is much more rigorous than she had anticipated. This has not deterred her though. With all the downward economic pressure, she has had to dig deep to find the reasons to push on. Some days she has to awaken by 4:00 a.m. to arrive in Beaufort to do her clinical hours at 6:30 a.m. This is a minor sacrifice because these are the times she relishes - helping people.  And the biggest lesson she is learning in this program is to trust herself. "This is no place for self-doubt," Sarah says. "The seasoned nurses I train with say go with your first gut instinct."
Because she shares this passion for the medical field with her parents, it was especially rewarding and exciting to call her dad, the Deputy Director of Anderson County Emergency Service, and say, "Hey Dad, today we did this," and "Hey Dad, today we saw that." These moments motivated her to change her life to the way she envisions it should be. "I remember watching my dad helping ill or injured people go through their hardest times. He would say to them, 'Trust me, I'm going to help. I'm going to do everything I can.' He would take control of a crazy, crazy situation and be able to focus and turn it around and calm them," Sarah says with passion and conviction about her father.

Six months into the two-year program, tragedy struck the Brissey family. Sarah's beloved father, her calming force, died suddenly and unexpectedly. Her liquid-clear hazel eyes filled with tears as her gentle soul recounted her very recent memories. She only had a week to grieve before her next semester began. She surprised herself with her strength to carry on. Her grandmother, who has now buried all three of her children and her husband, was the quiet teacher of this strength. Her calm demeanor and tenacity for life has kept her going. That character model helps Sarah to do the same. "In hard times you can surprise yourself. I've learned to ask for help," Sarah says about her ability to stick with the very tough nurse's training schedule in spite of her trying times. She's not giving up. She has found inner strength and resoluteness, the gifts given to her by her family.
Sarah's mom, who is one who has provided these gifts, is her best friend. They share a passion for good food, good wine and good conversation. When her mom comes into town from Anderson, SC, they run up to Fresh Market, pick out a loaf of good bread, choose a cheese they've never had, and peruse the deli for a dish that matches their palate for the evening. This is a tradition that only the two of them share. Their relationship has been the support they both need. Her mother is also a nurse and could not be prouder of her daughter.

Since beginning the nursing program, it's what Sarah talks about most. She loves it. It's filling her soul. Her advice to young people confused about their futures is to trust their instincts. "It's so important to be happy and do what makes you happy. I didn't realize that until after I started back to school and spent my days training in local hospitals and nursing homes."

Sarah's courageous leap during challenging times and her ability to push through them are lessons for those looking to reinvent or perhaps rediscover themselves. She is becoming her own calming force as she progresses towards her dreams. It's all about character and doing what you really love. For Sarah, helping others who need to heal is healing her own soul.

Up Close:

Guilty pleasure: "I eat a whole bag of lifesavers every day."
Best advice: "Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are so many people who can and will help."
Favorite comfort: "Being in the grocery store. Especially Fresh Market because there is always something going on- the smell of the coffee, the flowers, it just gives me a good feeling."
Favorite way to recharge: "A night at home with a magazine, a glass of wine and time to gather my thoughts."
Inspiration: "Looking through my grandmother's nursing school textbooks."