In mid-February, Emily Lawson, Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Michigan, came across a job posting that would change her life.
She had been working as a nurse at a major Chicago hospital, earning around $25,000 per year—a decent salary, but nothing extraordinary.
Then, she saw Celestial Medical Center's job listing.
A nursing position with an annual salary of $90,000.
More than triple her current earnings.
It was higher than what many attending physicians made.
Ambition drives progress.
For an opportunity like this, relocating to another city was a small price to pay.
Emily submitted her application immediately.
With her strong credentials and extensive experience, she easily passed the interview and clinical assessments—securing a position as a nurse at Celestial Medical Center.
Since the hospital had not yet opened, she and the other newly hired nurses began an intensive professional training program organized by the hospital.
During this time, Emily started keeping a diary, documenting her new life at Celestial Medical Center.
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February 20
"Today, I officially signed my contract as a full-time nurse at Celestial Medical Center and moved into the staff dormitory."
"Except… calling this a 'dormitory' feels like an understatement—it's basically a luxury apartment."
"Each unit has three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a balcony."
"Fully furnished—with air conditioning, water heaters, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, TVs, and even desktop computers."
"Honestly, this place is nicer than most apartments I've lived in!"
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February 21
"I explored the hospital campus today, and… I'm speechless."
"Most hospitals in the U.S. follow the same boring, traditional design—a single massive complex where all departments are crammed into different wings or floors."
"Not here."
"At Celestial Medical Center, each of the 72 departments has its own dedicated building."
"And the designs? Completely different for each specialty—tailored to meet the specific needs of the patients."
"The oncology center was built with a focus on privacy and dignity—consultation areas arranged to create a sense of personal space, rather than the usual cold, clinical setup."
"The pediatrics building looks like something out of a storybook—ceilings painted with blue skies and white clouds, walls covered in lush, towering trees. It actually feels welcoming."
"It doesn't even feel like a hospital—it feels like a place where patients would actually feel comfortable."
"And the entire campus? It's stunning. This is, without a doubt, the most beautiful hospital I've ever seen."
"Oh, and one more thing—the entire hospital has high-speed Wi-Fi."
"I swear, some parts of Austin don't even have full 4G coverage yet, but Celestial Medical Center is already ahead of the curve."
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February 22
"The staff cafeteria at Celestial Medical Center officially opened today."
"And get this—there are 24 staff cafeterias spread across the hospital. Is that even normal?!"
"And the food? Absolutely ridiculous."
"They're serving everything—from garlic butter ribeye steak to slow-braised short ribs, from lobster thermidor to black truffle pasta."
"They even have bluefin tuna, Alaskan king crab, foie gras, caviar, and Hokkaido scallops on the menu."
"It's not just high-end cuisine, though—there's a huge variety of American comfort food, Asian dishes, Mediterranean flavors, and even fresh-baked pastries."
"And the best part? It's all completely free for staff."
"Even the drink selection is insane—fresh-squeezed orange juice, coconut water, cold brew coffee, lattes, herbal teas, sodas, smoothies—you name it, they have it."
"I swear, I've never seen a hospital serve food like this. It's more like a five-star resort."
"…Wait, with all this spending, is the hospital actually making money?"
"Please don't go bankrupt. I really want to keep my $90,000 salary."
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February 23
"I took another walk around the hospital today, and I'm still in awe of how perfect everything is."
"The landscaping is breathtaking, with tree-lined walkways, flower gardens, and even small ponds scattered throughout the campus."
"The supporting facilities are also unbelievable—on-site gyms, staff lounges, coffee shops, research centers, and even a spa for employees."
"Celestial Medical Center is located in Austin, Texas, near the banks of the Colorado River. The surrounding area is an eco-tourism hotspot, filled with parks, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks."
"Honestly, this place isn't just a hospital—it's a medical city."
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February 27
"Today, I made a bold decision."
"I took all my savings and bought a red Audi A3—figured I might as well have a reliable car for commuting."
"Hopefully, this isn't a mistake."
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March 1
"Celestial Medical Center is getting livelier by the day."
"More and more doctors, nurses, and medical assistants are passing their assessments and officially joining the hospital."
"I heard the plan is to hire over 4,000 doctors, more than 10,000 nurses, and another 10,000 medical assistants."
"If that's true, the hospital must be spending at least a few billion dollars just on salaries."
"Where is all this money coming from?! Our hospital is insanely rich."
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March 2
"Today, the hospital began its first round of professional training for newly recruited nurses. I was part of the first batch."
"My new coworkers and I all attended together, and through conversations, I realized something—everyone here has either a master's or doctorate in nursing from top-tier medical schools."
"The training itself is incredibly detailed and highly professional."
"Every nurse needs to seamlessly cooperate with doctors and medical assistants, ensuring we're fully prepared for future surgeries and patient care."
"One thing's for sure—this training is making me a better nurse. My skills have already improved, and I feel like I've gained a whole new perspective on my profession."
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March 15
"Training is starting to feel repetitive… I just want the hospital to open already!"
"Oh, and Dr. Ethan Carter, the hospital director, came by to inspect our training today."
"He's young, brilliant, and—let's be honest—pretty handsome."
"I heard he has a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins and was a rising star at Mayo Clinic before founding Celestial Medical Center."
"Smart, accomplished, and good-looking? Okay, I might have a tiny crush."
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March 21
"Haha! Today, we got paid for the first time!"
"I honestly thought we wouldn't get salaries until the hospital officially opened, but nope—we're getting paid from the moment we sign the contract."
"The nurse's salary here is $90,000 per year, but in the first year, we receive 60% of that amount. The salary gradually increases over six years until it reaches the full amount."
"That means I'll be making:"
$54,000 in year one
$61,000 in year two
$68,000 in year three
$75,000 in year four
$82,000 in year five
$90,000 in year six
"My first paycheck was $4,500, and on top of that, the hospital provides full benefits—health insurance, retirement plans, housing assistance—it's amazing!"
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March 31
"I officially completed my 30-day nurse training today!"
"Some of the newer hires still have a few weeks left, but as for me—I get to relax and still collect my salary."
"I could get used to this."
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April 8
"I overheard something crazy today—the hospital staff count has officially reached 44,000 employees!"
"Celestial Medical Center is a private hospital, but its size is larger than 20 major medical centers combined."
"And now… there are only four days left until the grand opening."
"Time to rest up and prepare for April 12—the day Celestial Medical Center officially opens its doors."
"I saw a quote online today: 'Serious people don't keep diaries.'"
"You know what? That actually makes a lot of sense."
"For now, I'm putting this diary on hold."