John Tyler Community College Nursing Program Fall 2015

Hello! I am pushing the end of my second semester, and received my acceptance into the traditional track at JTCC's School of Nursing. I am so elated that I can barely contain my happiness! I cannot wait to meet my classmates. Hopefully there will be a few familiar faces.

This moment is such a great obstacle that I have overcome. I attended college right out of high school (2003), but had no idea what I wanted to do. I major hopped until I found out I was pregnant with my son. My son is now almost 10 years old and I felt like he was old enough for me to return to school. About 6 years ago I decided to go into nursing, but quickly changed my mind because I wanted to do it for the money and didn't have any passion for it. June of 2014 I decided to go for my CNA because my younger sister wanted me to do something (she had just graduated and is now a pharmacist). So I went ahead and did my CNA and successfully completed that program. It was while I was doing my clinicals that I realized I really wanted to become a nurse. So I came to JTCC and started my pre-nursing courses. My A&P professor on the first day of classes said that we should pick a career that we wouldn't mind doing even if we weren't paid to do it. It was in that moment that I realized I had formed a passion for the field of nursing. While in clinicals I cried because it was devastating to watch people that are less fortunate receive subpar medical care. I wasn't getting paid to be there and I just wanted to help everybody. I spent time talking to the patients, and most were suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer's. On the first day, in which I cried, my last patient of the day...I was helping her get cleaned up and dressed for the day because she had a visit with her family that day, and we talked throughout the entire procedure. Never once did I find it to be a burden, like some of the CNAs I had shadowed that day, to help her. I was able to do my task that I was doing AND engage with the patient. She asked about what I wanted to do, and I said I wanted to go to nursing school. After she was all dressed she reaches for my hand and tells me I'm going to make a great nurse. It was then when I gained the confidence to pursue the career. And the words from my professor on that first day of class that solidified it for me.

I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have been given. If it weren't for my sister telling me to figure out a plan, I wouldn't be here sharing my story. I hear this school is quite competitive, and I busted my butt to make good grades and have someone want to give me a chance. So here I am!! I proved it to myself and now the sky is the limit!!

Thank you you for taking the time to read this!! Have a great day everyone!