11/14/2025
This article is written by Luba (Liubov) Tretyuk, RN, with the Bloomington 5 East Med-Surg team.
Looking back, I see my journey not only through challenges but also through countless opportunities for growth, fortitude, and faith in my calling.
My name is Luba, and I'm originally from Siberia. My first profession was as an elementary school teacher, but even then, deep down, I felt a passion for nursing. I've always wanted to care for people, especially those who are vulnerable, in pain, or simply in need of kindness and compassion.
After moving to the United States, I realized it was time to take a step toward my dream. I decided to become a nurse. This decision wasn't without its challenges—my English was very limited, and I had to start almost from scratch. I enrolled in English classes for adults and studied for three years to overcome the language barrier.
Even afterward, I realized my English was far from perfect. But one day, I told myself, "If you wait until you feel completely ready, you'll never start."
Read the full story at https://iuhealth.org/thrive/from-a-teacher-in-siberia-to-a-registered-nurse-in-bloomington.