By Ahjané Forbes
Working an ordinary job might not make most people millionaires but it certainly helped one lucky northern California nurse.
Stacy Hagberg, a nurse in Shasta County, stopped at an ampm convenience store on the way to her overnight shift to grab an energy drink, the California Lottery said on Friday. She also grabbed some scratchers.
While on a break at work later that night, Hagberg told lottery officials that she scratched off her lottery tickets and her life changed forever.
“I started scratching and saw the one and commas and was like, ‘Oh my God,’” Hagberg told lottery officials. “My coworker thought I was telling her she did something wrong,” she said. “And I said ‘No, I think I just won a million dollars!’”
Still in disbelief, Hagberg had others look at her lottery win, the lottery said.
“I scanned it, and had about five people look,” she said. “It didn’t really sink in until I had the money and could see it in my bank account. It still feels surreal.”
Nurse purchases impromptu million-dollar ticket
The lottery said that Hagberg bought the $10 Power 10’s game, but that was not a part of her plan.
“I usually buy a few of a different game I like playing but they only had one of those left,” she told lottery officials. “So, I bought it and randomly picked out three Power 10s.”
Hagberg is grateful that she bought the lucky ticket.
“If they had had more of the game I usually buy, I wouldn’t have bought the Power 10’s and won the million dollars!” she said. “It was meant to be.”
The lottery said the owner of the ampm in Redding will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling Hagberg her winning scratch-off ticket.
What does the nurse plan to do with her winnings?
Even though Hagberg plans to remain in her job to take care of her patients, she is going to take care of herself, she told the lottery.
“I’m debt-free and I can finally think about retirement,” Hagberg said. “I used to feel I’d probably have to work until the day I died.”
What are the odds of winning Power 10’s?
The odds of winning the $1 million prize are 1 in 2,043,212, the California Lottery said.
The overall odds of winning are 1 in 3.42.
Where to buy lottery tickets
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
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