I’m a proud Saint Lucia native now living in New York City. Nursing has been my dream profession since my early twenties, inspired by my younger brother Eli, who has Down syndrome. When Eli was hospitalized, the extraordinary nurses made a significant impact on our lives. One nurse, noticing Eli’s hesitance, gently asked about his interests. After a few tries, he shared his love for dancing. To our delight, the entire nursing team would enter his room with music— “Single Ladies” was a favorite—to encourage him to move. Their cheerful participation filled our hearts with joy and made a lasting difference during that challenging time. In that moment, I realized my calling: to become a nurse and create meaningful connections, just as they had done for us.

I am 40 years old, married for 9 years, with 4 children and 2 grandchildren. With 21 years in healthcare, I currently work as a CNA at Magee Hospital on the rehabilitation floor. I began my career in 2003 as a medical assistant at Alma Illery Medical Center and have since worked in various UPMC hospitals as a PCT. I obtained my CNA in 2012 and have experience in nursing facilities and homecare. Despite facing challenges, including failing the TEAS test multiple times, I’ve always felt called to nursing. In 2023, when I learned about Carlow’s new PN program, I prayed to God for a sign to pursue it. Now, I’m in my last semester at Carlow, ready to fulfill my nursing dream.

The experience that sparked my passion for nursing occurred during the birth of my daughter. When I realized that my epidural was not working, I felt unheard by the medical staff. However, an exceptional RN went above and beyond to ensure my needs were met. Her advocacy ignited a deep desire within me to pursue nursing as a means of nurturing, healing, and advocating for others. My goal is to become a CRNA and empower women of color and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in healthcare.

I have been dedicated to the healthcare field for over 17 years, with 12 of those years spent as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). My passion for caring for the geriatric population began in 2007 while working at an assisted living facility, where I found immense joy in bringing smiles to my patients’ faces and providing them with personal, compassionate care. Over the years, I have gained valuable experience in home care, assisted living, and skilled nursing settings. My desire to make a greater impact on patient care led me to pursue nursing. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my education at Carlow University.

I have always had a heart for people, wanting to make a difference in other people’s lives. Either to make them smile or laugh, or to make them feel and look beautiful by doing their makeup or hair. I knew since I was a little girl that I would be special enough to make a difference in other people's lives. I just never knew how I could do that; I started out doing hair and I realized that I loved making people look beautiful. I wanted to have my own hair salon, and I had a whole blueprint to make that happen. I even considered going to Empire Beauty Academy for my Cosmetology License. My clientele was amazing as well; I did hair for people in my neighborhood and my church family. But that took a turn when I started working in the medical field as a care giver. At first it was just to make money to take care of me and my son, but I grew to have a passion for the elderly and seeing how some of the elderly were being mistreated I wanted to help by making a change. I remember my grandmother was in a nursing home and she passed away because of a CNA’s neglect of care. My grandmother needed to be fed and because they were short-staffed her food was just placed in front of her. When the CNA left my grandmother unattended, my grandmother decided to try to feed herself. Sadly, my grandmother choked on her food and when the CNA came back my grandmother was gone. So, seeing this and seeing how some patients are being treated in the nursing homes, my heart became more passionate about helping people in a different way. So, I decided to go get my CNA License and I have been working as a Certified Nursing Assistant for about 9 years. I wanted to take it a step further and become a nurse. I have tried to become an RN first by taking the TEAS Test to get into the program. But I guess it was not Gods timing at the time I was trying to go to school for nursing. So, I just worked as a CNA until my friend and sister Shanelle called me and told me that Carlow University was at her job. She told me that they are starting their first LPN Program with good news; there were no entrance fees, or TEAS Test to take. I remember her saying call Dr. Simmons and leave her a message to see how you can apply. I was so nervous as I had so much already on my plate. Me being a single mother of four and trying to work and take care of them I did not know how I would go to school and manage everything, so I prayed. I told God that if this is what you want for me Lord, please make a way. I have been wanting to become a nurse badly, and my heart was ready, so I emailed and called Dr. Simmons. Dr. Simmons directed me on where to go and what I needed to do to apply for the program. The whole week I was nervous, and it was a waiting game. I finally received an email saying welcome to Carlow University; congratulations you have been accepted to the Undergraduate License Practical Nursing Program! I was excited and thanking God for opening this door for me. This has been such a challenge for me, but God has been carrying me through, and I am now graduating in December. There have been many obstacles that I have faced and overcome going to school, but I am here, and I am ready to apply what I have learned to help take care of patients the right way. My heart is in this, it is not about the money, I truly have a passion for this. And I am thankful to be able to make a difference in other people's lives that will help them and to better their health in different ways. 

I’m a senior nursing student at Carlow University. I started my journey at Pittsburgh Technical College, where I completed 3 quarters of my education in nursing before its closure in July of 2024. I am grateful that Carlow took me in to finish my journey and set my eyes on a new adventure. I wanted to become a nurse because it’s in my blood; my parents are both nurses and I see how much they help people through their work, and I wanted to do the same. My future goals after graduating are to travel and work alongside my father, move to North Carolina with my family, and settle into Maternity or Pediatric care. I want to thank my Mother, Father, Sister, Grandmother; and my brothers in Christ; John, Angel, Micah, and Paul for getting me to where I am today.

I have joined Carlow University for my last semester of the PN Program and I am set to graduate in December. My story is a little interesting to say the least considering how I got to Carlow. I originally started at Pittsburgh Technical College back in July 2023, upon finishing my 3rd quarter with 10 weeks left to graduate of the PN Program myself, and my cohorts’ world came crashing down when we received the news that our school was closing.  We scattered around trying to figure out the unknown of our nursing program to complete it until we came across a teach out plan at Carlow University.  The next thing you know, we are all sitting in Dr. Simmons’ office working out our schedules and soon after, we’re registered to finish our dreams of becoming Nurses! We are thankful to Dr. Simmons for really taking us seriously and offering a guiding light to get us to the finish line that my cohort and I are ready to cross! I am honored to soon be a graduate Nurse from Carlow. I’ve been asked about my “WHY”; why do I want to be a successful nurse? My reasoning is a mixture of emotions. I always wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl, but growing up and experiencing the unexpected of having a sick parent made me think a lot harder about going into the medical field. For about 15 years my father’s health had declined and was rocky year after year which led to me becoming his full-time caregiver in 2020.  Little did I know my job as his caregiver would be cut short when I unexpectedly lost my father just a few months ago this year in January 2024. I knew I could use the experience of taking care of my dad combined with my knowledge and skills that I learned in nursing school to help make a difference in people's lives, make my dad proud and stick to the plans I have for my future by being that “1” good nurse to outweigh the bad ones; to be their voice and to be their advocate! Through honesty, hard work, dedication and determination, I am positive I can achieve all my dreams to make me the best nurse that I can be. To better strangers' lives, to better my life and to help support my mom and other family anyway that I can. I am grateful to have connected and met my classmates Jess Orban and Myron Williams; without joining their cohort, studying with them and supporting each other I am not sure where I would be today. Here’s to the last of the semester and a brighter future for us all!  

Originally, I started by looking into Washington Hospital School of Nursing because one of my mom’s friends graduated from their program. I completed all my gen-ed classes through California University online in 2021-2022 when COVID was still prevalent. Then, I started hearing negative feedback about the Washington Hospital program with reports that everyone, including faculty, were leaving the program so I decided to take a full year off from school to figure out if nursing was something I wanted to do. In the new year of 2023, I found out about Pittsburgh Technical College’s LPN program through a friend who was going there, and she had nothing but great things to say about the professors and the program. I started at PTC in October 2023 and met my cohort. My cohort and I made it through three quarters of PTC’s LPN program when we found out that PTC would be closing after the third quarter, meaning we would not progress into our fourth and final quarter or graduate from PTC in October 2024. This left confusion, anger, and sadness to consume us, and the biggest question appeared; how am I going to graduate without starting all over again? Luckily, PTC did have a day when schools who were willing to let us transfer to finish with them arrived at our school. That's when my cohort and I found out about Carlow and that they would be able to let us finish our LPN certificate in December 2024. We all collectively decided to choose Carlow and that is where the journey resumed, and the goal to finish school was back on the table. I am so thankful that Carlow was able to take us in and give us this opportunity to finish school with them when my cohort and I were struggling to figure out what to do and where to go. Thank you to my PTC professors for getting me started and guiding me through the majority of nursing school and thank you to my professors at Carlow for guiding me the rest of the way to graduation. 

I am a dedicated nursing student pursuing my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I have always been drawn to helping others and making a positive impact in my community. My diverse work experience has equipped me with valuable skills that will serve me well in my nursing career. I've held various management positions in multiple companies. My time as a Home Health Aide and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) has provided me with hands-on experience in patient care, solidifying my passion for healthcare. A natural leader, I served as cheerleading captain throughout high school, demonstrating my ability to motivate and inspire others. My commitment to education is evident in my pursuit of various certifications, including a medical billing and coding certificate. This diverse skill will undoubtedly enhance my capabilities as a future LPN. I am a proud mother of two boys, ages 6 and 8, balancing my family responsibilities with my educational pursuits. My passion for fashion and beauty is reflected in my role as a Mary Kay representative, where I enjoy helping people feel confident and look their best. My journey in healthcare began in 2014, and since then, I have developed a deep-rooted passion for nursing. My experience teaching etiquette classes showcases my commitment to professionalism and interpersonal skills, which are crucial in the nursing field. As I progress through my LPN program, I am excited to combine my diverse background, compassionate nature, and healthcare experience to become a skilled and empathetic nurse, dedicated to providing exceptional care to my future patients.

I was born in Paterson, New Jersey, but when I was 10, my family and I moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so my grandmother and father could be closer to our relatives. Growing up in a household with eight siblings, I always found myself taking care of my grandmother, who was also a nurse. She’s the one who truly inspired my passion for nursing—I always loved helping her, and that love for caring for others has stayed with me ever since.

After working on the floor for 10 years, I knew nursing was where my heart belonged. But my journey to becoming a nurse wasn’t easy. I tried several times to get into nursing school, but I kept missing the cut off by just a few points on the entrance exam. I was about ready to give up when my aunt told me about a program starting at Carlow University. I attended the Zoom meeting, and it was truly the best decision I’ve ever made. 

 Joining the LPN program at Carlow opened doors I never thought were possible, especially as a single mom. It taught me that when one door closes, another one really does open. I’m so thankful for this program—it gave me the chance to chase my dream when I was starting to lose hope. Now, I’m passionate about encouraging other women and future nurses to never give up on their goals. If I can do it, so can they. 

 I’m forever grateful to Dr. Simmons and all the teachers at Carlow who believed in me and helped me along the way. Without their support and dedication, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My passion is to one day work in pediatrics, helping mothers and children who need compassionate care.  

 My journey has taught me resilience and the importance of giving back, and I can’t wait to use my experiences to help others in my community. I’ll always be grateful to Carlow for giving me this opportunity, and I want to inspire others to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough things may seem. 

Nursing has always been a childhood dream for me. I have wanted to become a nurse since the age of 16 years of age. I love helping the sick and elderly. My first job was at a personal care home; that was when I fell in love with health care.

I became a nurse to give back to my community as a Midwife and make an impactful contribution to women’s healthcare. Nursing is what I wanted to do after I graduated high school and as a teenage mother, I never thought this dream would finally come true. After a long day of clinicals, hard tests, hard work, dedication, and inspiration, I finally can say “I’m now a Licensed Practical Nurse”.

I am a first gen in an African household from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I’ve always thought that I chose nursing because of my generous and kind heart, but here’s my WHY. I spent my summer in the PICU at Children’s Hospital, praying for God to save my 4-year-old brother. I met the kindest nurses, and I was truly touched. I unfortunately lost my brother, but I believe that God’s plan is far greater than the eyes can see. I want to be that nurse that gives patients’ families hope, encouraging words, nurturing, and praying with them if it is their devotion. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.

I am 24 years old; I am a mother of two beautiful daughters. I attended IUP for a year back in 2018 and pursued nursing, then I transferred to CCAC.  For the last 3 years I have been working as a nurse’s aide. I have been trying to get through nursing school for the past few years. But life happened so things did not go as planned. Then, in the summer of 2023, I saw an LPN program at Carlow posted online; I was undecided at first because of timing but I then thought to myself timing will probably never be right, so I applied to the nursing program and got accepted. I was elated; I felt that I finally chose the right program and was going to be able to get through nursing. I always knew since I was a child I wanted to be in the nursing field and still plan to continue climbing the ladder. I have always wanted to work in pediatrics or mother and baby as that is something I really have a passion for and could relate to as well.

I decided to become a nurse because patient care is all I know. My 6-years of experience working as a mental health assistant in psychiatry inspired me to advance my career and transition into nursing to better care for individuals with mental health needs. As a Haitian American, our culture’s morals value caring for family with love, kindness and support, especially during their times of need thus allowing me to be highly confident in my nursing abilities and future success.  I also wanted to show my five bright, young daughters a struggle free environment empathizing that accomplishing career goals early is important; education is the way to a good life and it’s never too late. Once they see that I’ve done it, they’ll know they can do it too, and I’ll have their back through it all because I know how hard it can be.

I have joined Carlow University for my last semester of the PN Program and I am set to graduate in December. My story is a little interesting to say the least considering how I got to Carlow. I originally started at Pittsburgh Technical College back in July 2023, upon finishing my 3rd quarter with 10 weeks left to graduate of the PN Program myself, and my cohorts’ world came crashing down when we received the news that our school was closing.  We scattered around trying to figure out the unknown of our nursing program to complete it until we came across a teach out plan at Carlow University.  The next thing you know, we are all sitting in Dr. Simmons’ office working out our schedules and soon after, we’re registered to finish our dreams of becoming Nurses! We are thankful to Dr. Simmons for really taking us seriously and offering a guiding light to get us to the finish line that my cohort and I are ready to cross! I am honored to soon be a graduate Nurse from Carlow. I’ve been asked about my “WHY”; why do I want to be a successful nurse? My reasoning is a mixture of emotions. I always wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl, but growing up and experiencing the unexpected of having a sick parent made me think a lot harder about going into the medical field. For about 15 years my father’s health had declined and was rocky year after year which led to me becoming his full-time caregiver in 2020.  Little did I know my job as his caregiver would be cut short when I unexpectedly lost my father just a few months ago this year in January 2024. I knew I could use the experience of taking care of my dad combined with my knowledge and skills that I learned in nursing school to help make a difference in people's lives, make my dad proud and stick to the plans I have for my future by being that “1” good nurse to outweigh the bad ones; to be their voice and to be their advocate! Through honesty, hard work, dedication and determination, I am positive I can achieve all my dreams to make me the best nurse that I can be. To better strangers' lives, to better my life and to help support my mom and other family anyway that I can. I am grateful to have connected and met my classmates Jess Orban and Myron Williams; without joining their cohort, studying with them and supporting each other I am not sure where I would be today. Here’s to the last of the semester and a brighter future for us all!  

Helping others is what I love to do. I love making a difference in people’s lives. I have worked as a CNA for over 25 years. My son always said, “Mom, you should go back to school to be a nurse” I said I was too old, and my son said you are never too old to receive an education. Every time I wanted to give up, my son said Nope, no mom that’s not what we do, we keep our heads up and keep going. He said, “finish strong mom, you got this!” Thank you to my son and husband for their unwavering belief in me.

I am 23 years old, and I am from Stone Mountain, Georgia. I am the second youngest girl in my family of 9. I came to PA in 2021 after I graduated hoping to find out what I want to do in life, and I stumbled upon an opportunity; Carlow University was offering an LPN program, and I was already working at a nursing home. When I heard about the program, I decided to join because I was interested in furthering my education in that field.

My nursing journey began when a traumatic event occurred when I was ten years old - the loss of my mother. I felt helpless and wished I could do something to help her. After that, I always wanted to learn more about the body and how it works so that I could help someone in an emergency. I never had anyone to guide or encourage me, so I relied on my mother's words and myself during tough times. At 12, I got a job in the laundry room at a nursing home in New Jersey. I was always tall for my age, so no one questioned it. I observed what the aides did and how some mistreated older people, and I thought how awful that was. So, I watched the aides who were excellent in caring for patients, learned from them, and pushed myself to do even better. When I was 16, I worked as an aide before nurses' aides had to be licensed. I went to college, took some courses, and was unsure what direction to go. Life happened, I got married and had a son, but I still felt I wanted to help others. So, I went back to school and took a C.N.A. course. I worked for 35 years in total, with and without a license. I sat home for some time after I left the field, and then my daughter passed away in 2019. I had to do something other than sit at home. I didn’t want to do aide work anymore, so I went to culinary school as good food comforts people. I went to work for a non-profit company that ultimately helps others, and I took care of the food and engaged with the seniors. Then COVID-19 happened, and the company didn’t want to lose me, so they transferred me to Meals on Wheels. I was unsure what to expect, but it was more rewarding than I thought, and I was still serving and helping others. Then, I took on more responsibility as a social service assistant and was promoted to team lead. While going through work emails one day, I saw the opportunity I had always been looking for but had never received in nursing: a Carlow invite to join a Zoom meeting. Even though I am older, I still have the drive to learn, and I'm betting on myself to reach that goal. At first, I did not think it would happen, but Dr. Simmons went to bat for me, and I was accepted. It's my last semester, and it has been more than I had imagined. I can help the ill with the same drive I had as a child, and now I have the knowledge to do so.  

I wanted to become a nurse because I have a generation of nurses in my family. Ever since I was young, I watched my mother be one of those people who have a passionate heart for the love of nursing. She encouraged me to go and try working in the healthcare field, starting as a CNA. I enjoyed the experience of being a CNA. I eventually wanted to do more with myself, such as helping people with more advanced care needs. I fell in love with taking care of patients and making them feel better about themselves. 

I was born in Nepal. Education has always been my priority because my parents never got the opportunity to attend school. I have always wanted to become a nurse because of the positive impact nurses bring to people’s lives. The nursing major also comes with many opportunities and pathways. I want to specialize in the pediatric population because I have always loved being around little kids. I would love to become a pediatric nurse and help little ones feel better. It will be gratifying for me to help and take care of people in their difficult times as a nurse.

I’m a Carlow University nursing student. I've been in the medical field for well over 15 years. I've always had a passion for caring for others. I started out as a nursing assistant and continued to grow from there. My favorite part of being in the medical field is knowing that at the end of the day you've made a difference and because of this it keeps me going. When I’m not working are in class, I’m with my family enjoying everyday life appreciating all our quality time and traveling. I am also a partner in a small business, I think of myself as a quiet, bubbly, shy, but a very outgoing person, although I’ve also been known to be the person to speak up in any situation. My idea of the perfect day would start on a positive note and to be open to what may occur throughout the day; then I like to end by being grateful for another day. 

I am a 34-year-old male. I never knew nursing was my calling. My journey started off as a young teenager looking for a job. My mom told me to apply to a nursing home in the dietary department while I was in high school. I worked in the dietary department for two years until I graduated from high school.

During my years as a dietary aide, I started working in a dining room setting. The dining room setting was a place where residents can get off their units and come down and enjoy a decent meal. They knew I would be there to brighten up their day. I used to listen to countless stories on how things was good and how things was not so good in their day. All the residents used to tell me how much better other people’s lives would be if I can bring the same good, positive energy into the nursing field. During my dietary career that always stuck with me. I did not know what they were talking about, but I knew I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life. This can also lead to making a difference in my life.

The job ended up offering CNA classes and I thought to myself why not give it a try. I applied for the program and got accepted. During the program I became incredibly in-tuned and determined to be the best aide I can be, so it started to become second nature. I worked as a CNA for 15 years; some would say I got comfortable. As I got older, I started to think that I could not see myself in any other career outside of nursing. I truly believe that this is my calling. I started to talk to the nurses and ask them a multitude of questions. I asked how school was, how did they start their journey to be a nurse and more. A lot of people told me good things and bad things, but what really stood out was a lot of their stories was like mine, however, I still wasn’t sure that this is what I wanted to do.

One day I concluded that being a nurse is what I want and what I aspire to be; I am already invested in a nursing home setting, and I could make even more of a change. I applied for community college and started my journey. I ended up overwhelming myself by taking more classes than I can handle in a single semester. I began to step back and started to question if college was even for me. I began to ask other nurses what school they attended, and they pointed me to a trade school. I applied and the school told me that I would need to take an entrance exam, which is called the TEAS

To be a nurse, you must have compassion, empathy, patience, and good problem-solving skills. By the grace of GOD, I was born with all of them. Although being a nurse was not in my plan, no matter how I do other things, my life would always fall back to being a nurse. While being in the healthcare field, a patient told me “In her heart, a woman plans her way, but it is the LORD that directs her steps.” Since 2000 I’ve been doing healthcare and enjoyed it and if you asked me today why I want to be a nurse, I would say I was born to be a nurse.