Laura, a former Au Pair from the Netherlands, reflects on her unforgettable years in Washington, DC and Alton, Illinois. Laura is now a Pediatric Nurse. Keep reading to find out how Laura has used her Au Pair experience to help her with her career.
Who did you look after when you were an Au Pair?
“In DC, I took care of three boys. They were 5, 7, and 9 years old when I arrived. They had lots of energy and tried to teach me basketball the entire year. In Illinois, I also took care of three boys, a little older—7, 12, and 15. They continued to try and teach me more basketball, but still no success. And they taught me a lot about what it’s like to be a teenager in America.”
What are you doing now as a career?
“Right now, I work as a pediatric nurse. I was already a nurse before I came to America, but I found a way to combine the two things I loved the most—nursing and children. I just finished my degree as a Pediatric Nurse and now work with kids in their own homes. I take care of chronically sick children in their homes or schools. I always say I am sort of an ‘Au Pair Plus’ now.”
Tell us one of your favorite memories from your time as an Au Pair
“All of my memories as an Au Pair are favorites. I think one of them is when, during COVID, I had taken the three boys on a million hikes in the area. It was a great way to get some energy out, explore the area, and have fun. But the boys got sick of my endless hikes. In my last week with my first family, I asked the three of them what they wanted to do most. To my surprise—and their parents’ surprise—they begged to go on one more hike. Their parents said they never could have imagined the boys asking for a hike.”
Laura’s time as an Au Pair was more than just a job—it helped shape her career. Taking care of the boys taught her a lot about children and how to support them. These experiences inspired her to become a Pediatric Nurse. Today, she works with sick children, combining her love for kids with her nursing skills. Her time as an Au Pair was a key step in discovering her passion and shaping her career as a Pediatric Nurse.
To read more blogs like Laura’s click here – https://blog.aupairinamerica.co.uk/
