NOW!

As we spend this September reflecting on 9/11 and the ten year anniversary, it makes me think of a story I'd like to share with you. A story about a woman who witnessed the tragedy first hand and who later used The College Network to change her life.

Jean Brennan had been working as a paramedic for 20 years. September 11, 2001 started out as a normal day for Jean, who went to work at the hospital in Brooklyn, New York where she was employed. At 9:03a.m. she looked out of a window and saw an airplane fly into one of the World Trade Center Towers.

Being a paramedic, Jean spent the day tending to the victims of the attack. She describes the day as very surreal and says she understood what was going on, but that it was like watching a movie in slow motion. 

Jean had been thinking about becoming an RN for a long time, but working first hand with the victims of the 911 tragedy are what motivated her to move forward with her dream.  “I love being a paramedic, but I wanted something that promoted health, because that promotes peace,” she says.

Jean has since completed her Paramedic to RN program with help from The College Network and says it has completely changed her life. She was able to continue to work full time while earning her degree and says she used her down time at work to study. To learn more, you can watch Jean tell her inspiring story here.