Success Stories

My Name is Maykel Verdecia Alonso. I studied registered nursing in Cuba for 5 years (from 1996 to 2001). Before taking the national state licensing exam, I legally migrated to the United States as a refugee. The reason why I did not take the national licensing exam in Cuba was because I was afraid that I was not going to be able to leave the country (the Cuban government, in order to avoid professionals leaving the country, has dictated laws that prohibit graduated students from leaving unless they spend 3-5 years performing social services). Since I had the urgency to leave the country, I decided to voluntary drop out of school and immigrate to the USA.

Soon after I arrived in the United States, I went to City College of San Francisco to learn English as second language. I discovered that City College also had an LVN refresher program for foreign nurses, so I enrolled in that to become a licensed nurse and apply to the CA-LVN Board. My hopes to be a nurse started to become a reality; even though, I was considered to be a drop off nursing student-immigrant from Cuba.

Soon after a fully credentialed evaluation and completion of the LVN refresher program, the LVN Board granted me the authorization to take the licensing exam. Since 2001 I have been working as an LVN in the United States.

When I felt confident working as a nurse, learned more about US law, rules and regulation, and gained more skills following policies and procedures; I decided to apply to the RN Board. Soon after I applied, the CA RN Board wanted my official transcripts from Cuba again (Cuban transcripts are to be use in Cuba National territory ONLY unless they are released by the government). After waiting a response from Cuba for several years, my immigration status in the US, Cuba-USA embargo, and after I realized that everywhere I go, institutions would request official transcripts, I decided to go back to school and retake all the classes I took for nursing in Cuba.

Since City College of Saint Francisco was the first institution that I enrolled in when arrived to the United States, I decided to complete my general education with them, and I have earned more than 80 units of general education. It is time for me to pursue my educational goal in this country, which is why I have applied to Indiana State University (ISU) to hopefully get into their LVN to BSN program.

Before I enroll into ISU, I first need to pass the ISU pre-exams which educational materials and preparation is offered by The College Network. Thanks to the excellent customer services of College Network and the excellent study materials offered, I already completed two of the pre-requisite exams needed for the LVN to BSN program of ISU.

Thanks to The College Network, Indiana State University and City College of San Francisco for allowing me to pursue higher education. I had to struggle with the political struggles between US and Cuba but it does not mean that I will not pursue my educational goal which is to become a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

As of today, I have an LVN license granted by the CA-LVN Board, I have 80 units of general education earned at CCSF, I have eight years of experience as an LVN, I have successfully completed the joint LVN-refresher refresher training program for foreign and American nurses, which is equivalent to two hundred twenty hours of nursing theory at CCSF, and 360 hours of laboratory and clinical practice in medical surgical nursing at St. Francis Hospital, General Hospital, and leadership / skilled nursing at Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center; thus, 5 years of nursing education in Cuba, whose courses and grades were officially evaluated by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

I would imagine there are other foreign trained nurses like me that would like to go back to school and that are not able to get their documents from their home countries (i.e. the school has closed, has changed name, has burned down during the war, are not politically related with this country, or simply are not willing to produce this type of document). For them, I would like to share my nursing experience.

Name: Maykel Verdecia
From: California

I have been a nurse for 3 years now. I chose to become a nurse when I was 16. I use to take care of my older neighbor when I was a teen. She was always sick and too old to care for herself. I realized than that I like doing it. I did not neccessarily like the bedpans, but I could live with it.

After becoming a nurse, I have worked in nursing homes, rehabs, mentally handicapped homes, and a gastro doctors office. I have worked with patients who have been burned all over, had amputated extremities, colostomies, and some pretty bad wounds/bedsores. I have helped people through their pains and fears. Family members who have questions and doubts. And through it all I realized that this was my calling, and I wouldnt change anything for the world.

My HEART is caring for others, and I do it with PRIDE and knowing that I make a differnce in my patients lives. If you dont have compassion and understanding and are not willing to show empathy, this is not the job for you.

Name: April McGehee
From: Mississippi

I was 8 years old when my mother and sister and I were in a automobile accident. My mother died on the scene. My sister and I were in critical condition. I suffered from a broken leg and head concussion. Later, I would have the fractured bones removed from my skull and a silver plate would replace the fractured bones.

While I was in the hospital recovering from my accident, I had the most beautiful and caring nurses ever. I vowed I would become a nurse and care for others, as I had been cared for by these wonderful nurses.

I married and had 4 children. My husband was an alcoholic and abusive. I left my husband and supported my children by milking cows. I worked hard but never lost my focus on becoming a nurse.

I later worked for a doctor and became a medical assistant. I married my second husband who encouraged me to seek my dream.

Last year I graduated from Modesto Junior College from the vocational nursing program. I am now a Licensed Vocational Nurse. I did this journey with the grace of God and His coaching.
I promise to be a compassionate and caring nurse to those I care for in my nursing profession. I am now focusing on getting my RN degree. May you all live your dream, it can be done.

Name: Arlene Graca
From: California

Congratulations to Daphne Charles of California! With 760 "likes", she achieved the most "likes" for her story that was posted on this blog.

Daphne will be receiving an iPad courtesy of The College Network. Click here to read Daphne's story.

Thank you to each of the 97 nurses who posted their amazing stories on The College Network blog between April 25 and May 6, 2001. We are so lucky to have wonderful people like you to care for us in times of need.

Happy Nurses Week!

Sincerely,

Lindsay Schmitt

I became a nurse because I have the passion to take care of others. It was always my life long dream to be working in hospitals, living the active phase of ER. I would just simply say, "I Love what I do. "

Name: Vez Ty
From: California

I was never one of those girls that knew at 3 that I was destined to become a nurse. I believe your family and your faith make you who you are. I was married right out of high school. My husband and I, both 18, had not a clue what we would do with our lives. I started general education courses at the local community college and he started courses to become and HVAC tech. Later that year in October we had our first child.

Now she's the one that set my nursing career in motion. On our second sonogram (you know, the one my mom thought was unnecessary) my doctor noted that our baby had gastroschisis. This meant that part of her abdominal wall had not properly closed and her intestines were free-floating. We were sent to a specialist and referred to a surgeon. It's scary enough to know that you're having your first child but we were faced with having our first who would be taken directly to surgery. We were even told we wouldn't be able to hold her.

Six weeks before she was due, a sonogram showed some constriction and fearing that any constriction would strangle her bowels, I was told I would be having a c-section. There was our miracle. Four pounds eight ounces of screaming fighter. And we did get to hold her before her 6 hour surgery. She spent 30 days in the neonatal intensive care. The nurses there were amazing. My doctor let me stay a full week rather than a shorter stay so that I could go down stairs and see her. (I had driving restrictions when I got home, which let's face it aren't going to stop any mother.)

The nurses there showed me how to pump and despite over two weeks with an NG tube and TPN I was able to nurse her for the first time on Thanksgiving day. (The NICU cradles each had baby hand print turkeys that said my first thanksgiving. Hers still makes me cry.) I knew that I was destined to share this kind of work.

Nursing is as much about the care provided as the love shown by those who give it. I have just completed my LVN-RN bridge and have already begun the process of learning more to earn my RN-MSN degree.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Name: Nikki Ordonez
From: Texas

I always knew that I would be a nurse, but first the nurse aid. Then on a snowy evening in Montana the ambulance brought in a man that had been racing his snow mobile and hit a stump under the snow sending him through the windshield taking off all of his face except his eyes.

He had no chin, lips, nose and most of his right cheek. He was crying in pain, and I couldn't give him a shot for the pain. The only RN on duty was trying to get him to a larger town for surgery.

I swore that night no one would ever suffer like that again if I could help it. Thus the LVN now with God's help the RN.

Name: JoAnn Bryson
From: Texas

I went into nursing because I loved working as a CNA. I wanted to know that if some day it was my mother or father in there that someone would be looking out for their care.

After 30 years in the same facility, I still love that I can be an advocate for them and their families. It's NOT a place to go and only die any more. It's a place called "home" with comfort, caring and love.

Name: Tammy Dugan
From: Connecticut

I used to be so scared of needles and then it dawned on me, it wasn't about hurting someone but getting them to get well and feel better and so one night, while watching a documentary on TV about poverty and disease in Africa and the limited medical resources, my journey to become a medical provider - a NURSE started.

My goal is open a clinic and grow it into a non-profit hospital in Africa as well as to start a nursing school there to train/educate nurses to be better health care providers in Africa. I am continuing my education to meet that goal. It has been a slow journey but my eyes are focused on what brought me into this wonderful career in the beginning.

Name: Arit Niger-Thomas Ekobena
From: North Carolina

I knew I wanted to be a nurse in the 9th grade. I loved helping people. Two weeks after graduating high school, I proceeded to enter an LPN program with the help of an academic scholarship.

One of the most rewarding experiences is helping someone that can't help themselves. While in OB clinical assisting, an unexpected delivery solidified my choice to become a nurse. Providing nursing services is rewarding, humbling and it also makes us realize that life is so precious with joyful births or giving care at dignified end of life experiences.

I realized that every day nurses provide a service to those in our care is a day we should be thankful that we're able to. That the service we provide will benefit clients and their families for the rest of their lives.

Name: Melanie Maddox Olson
From: Hawaii

Being a nurse wasn't something that I dreamed of being as a child. While in high school, I decided I wanted to be a nurse. After high school, I became a nurse aid and worked at this until I had my first child. After this, I always intended to go back and eventually did and became an LPN.

I have never seen nursing as just a job. I feel like too many get in to it for the money and are just going through the motions of being a nurse. To me, nursing means compassion and putting the needs of others before yourself and going the distance to help those who need help. It doesn't matter how much money or what color a person is, they are a person and deserve the same care as anyone. It doesn't matter what kind of day you are having you have to put on a smile and uplift the person you are helping. So, the reason I became a nurse is so I could help people because when I hear the words "thank you" that's all the payment I need.

Sometimes my hand is the last hand they hold before they take their last breath and sometimes that's all I can offer. Everyday I pray that GOD will help me and guide me while I am nursing because without God, I can do nothing. I have plans of going on to be more than an LPN. Hopefully I can get in to the teaching part of nursing and pass my values on to all the aspiring nurses.

My favorite quote "nursing is a work of heart". If there is one thing I can tell someone thinking about nursing I will say, "Don't get in nursing for the money, because that's not what it is about". I see nursing as a calling.

Name: Sherry King
From: Arkansas

I was only 15 years old when my Dad passed away due to a heart attack, at his early 46 years of age. If I knew that his smoking and drinking caused his death, I would have tried to convinced him to stop, but I didn't know any better. He was gone and since then, I have missed him so much that I would do anything to prevent this to happen again to any family member or any person that I encountered in my life.

That's why my goal is to achieve my ADN and then my NP, because I want to instruct and help people to save their lives. Because, like my Dad, maybe nobody told him the serious consequences that this would have, and he might still be alive by now.

Name: MARIA GUERRERO-FLORES
From: Texas

The question that comes to mind is who is a nurse? In the first place a nurse is a highly trained and skilled professional who cares for the sick and the infirm. A nurse helps to educate the patients in issues of healthy living “wellness” as well as any current or chronic disease process and treatment. A nurse performs treatments and procedures prescribed by physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Nurses need to have great compassion for their fellow human beings. They have to have good communication skills in both listening as well as speaking. Nurses need to be patient and they often have to have a thick skin.

So nursing is a health care profession focused on the care of individuals, families and communities so that they can attain and maintain optimal health and quality of life from conception to death. Nursing as l am seeing it, is a career that should comes from the heart, and not what others should force some one to do, nor entered as a result of making money because nursing is a career that need compassion and patience and accept those they are caring for as they are. I believe that those who make decisions to become nurses need to have the above qualities.

As I was asked to tell my story and at the same time, why I am a nurse? I was born and raised in Nigeria where every one cares for one of another. Then now, I am currently a nursing assistant at one of the nursing homes in New York and still aiming to become a registered nurse, which I believe to be my goal since my childhood.

For example, when I was in primary school, my teacher asked the students to write a composition, on what we would like to be in future or our goals. What I wrote was that, my goal was to become a nursing sister, in order to take care of the poor, the needy, the aged, and the neglected. In this case, after my school, I entered the convent where I spent some years and became a professed nun. After that, I was asked by my superior general to go home to spend two weeks with my parents for my holidays and come back to the generalate house, so that I could start my mission work.

After my holiday, as I was heading back the generalate house, behold there was an auto accident right in front of me. At that moment, I told the driver to stop so that I could help the pregnant woman that was lying by the side of the road. Then, I begged the driver to help me to take the woman to a nearby hospital, the man asked me whether I knew the woman, and I said ‘’no’’, he asked who is going to pay if we drop her in the hospital. I told the man that I will pay him, and for the woman I will contact the family then, both of us left for the hospital, where I met a very compassionate nurse who took care of the woman immediately, then, I told the nurses to contact the family for I do not know her background.

This story was narrated to my superior general, and she said to me, “do you know that you have started your mission work?” I said I hope so. After three days I went to the hospital to see the pregnant woman, but found her with a baby boy. It was during this incident I made my final decision to become a nurse. Moreover, whenever I see people on the streets begging for money, just to get their daily bread, I feel very sorry for them, always want to help them yet I did not know how since I was not a nurse, but some times I give them the little, money that I have. In fact, all these have made me to realize that health care is truly the right path for me. However, moving over to the United States of America taught me the methodology I should take to help these kinds of people who are in great need of health services.

In other words, with my experience as nursing assistant since I came to the Unite States of America, with good equipment for health care services and the books which I have been reading from The College Network for nursing, had made me to be more aware of the situation and the scope of practice I should perform when I become a fully registered nurse. I believe that it is my goal to have this accomplished. I know that I could do my part, then, my experience of those who are handicapped, who lack good health care gave me more than the desire to become a nurse. In fact, it gave me the passion and determination to achieve my life ambition.

I believe that compassion and determination are some of the important attributes of a nurse. Let me give another incident that happened when I was having a service in the church here in New York, where a 76 year old parishioner fell down from his seat. On observing that, immediately I ran to help him, while the people around felt afraid to touch him. When I came to the scene, everybody was confused for nobody knew exactly what to do. I wanted to help but for the fact that I lack experience, I could not do anything for this man. From then I said that I will be a nurse. Immediately I told one of the sisters to call 911. Then, immediately when the 911 arrived I showed them the man and they took him away. I felt bad that I could not offer something meaningful.

My sister who is a nursing assistant, her stories from the hospital inspired me and convinced me that nursing is truly for me. The feeling of giving yourself to a stranger in their great time of need is like no other feeling on earth. I am very willing to care for someone who is unable to care for himself or herself. I truly believe that I am called to become a nurse. I am honest and open to communicate, and these qualities or attributes have helped me to interact with not only the patients but also their family members. The words I used, my actions, and my attitudes can help other human beings to get healed and that is something that I will remember all through my life.

However, learning something new everyday motives me to becoming a nurse, and as a nurse to make a difference in the lives of the people that are unable to help themselves. Also, nurses care for individuals of all ages and cultural backgrounds, who are healthy and ill in a holistic manner based on the individual’s physical, emotional, psychological, intellectual, social and spiritual needs of the people. Thank you very much for making the time to read my essay.

Name: Marynnamdi Chukwu
From: New York

In 2002, my father was diagnosed with liver cancer. I was working as a graphic designer in upstate New York, where I had moved several years prior from St. Louis, Missouri. After rounds of chemo with no improvement, I left my job and moved back St. Louis to care for my father in the last few months of his life.

We healed many of the old wounds between us and I am so grateful for that time. We also had the help of hospice nurses, who greatly aided myself and my father during that time. I was moved beyond words by their compassion. My life changed in so many ways after my father passed, and I returned to New York. I no longer wanted to work in the corporate world; I wanted to help others in the way that I had been helped. So I took a job as a nurse's aide, and then a few years later returned to school and earned my RN license.

Nursing, I've found, is often as hard as it is rewarding. And it is during those moments of care and connection that I still remember why I wanted to do what I am doing. I hope to keep growing and remembering and helping others.

Name: Jackie Thorne
From: New York

Wow! There are a few reasons for the career/life choice I made to become a nurse. I had always wanted to be a teacher until high school.

I had become pregnant in high school after being involved in an abusive relationship. I was a very bright student and a lot of family members had given up hope, basically deciding that my life was over. I knew that I would be a single parent, and I had to set an example for my child.

I started looking into Nursing because I have always wanted to help people, and I am very compassionate. Of course, the income would aid me in raising a child alone.

A year later, my friend was diagnosed with HIV at 18 years old. We were devastated. As teens, we had "heard of" STD's and the chance of becoming pregnant at a young age, however the reality that it could happen to us or anyone we knew was not instilled in us. It had not been reinforced by parents or teachers/counselors. People just didn't talk about it.

I decided that I wanted to be that person to care for and educate young teenagers on these dangers. I did rotations in a family clinic and the young boys and girls that came there were scared to death. Sometimes we had to tell them that they had contracted a disease that they would have for life. This was hard, but I grew passionate in wanting to aid in prevention.

My plan was to become a nurse, open my own clinic with medical aid as well as counseling, and travel to high schools to educate them on the risks of being sexually active. They need to know the impact it could have on their lives.

It took me 8 years to become an RN, and I have been a nurse 2 years now. I have only fulfilled step one of my plan, but I am still working towards the goal I set out for.

Name: Rhiannon Wilson
From: Louisiana

I have always wanted to be a nurse from my earliest memory at 5 years old. My kindergarten teacher called my mom and told her I was tucking the other students in at nap time.

I've always been friendly, good natured, even been called 'bubbly'. I have always wanted to help people and over the last 25 years of being an LPN, I've been complimented on what a great nurse I am.

I do want to evolve in my career into a P.A. Which is why I'm trying to finish my RN. Since my worker's injury, I find that I have to 'step up' my game and continue on in the medical field.

Name: Colleen Hulett
From: New York

My mother was an inspiration to me, because she wasn't educated in medicine, but she had a great desire to learn and wouldn't give up. Due to my father having polio, my mother not only played the mother-nurse role but also the father role in teaching and guiding her family. Besides that, she had the great responsibility of caring for the animals, especially when they got sick.

One such story was when a very small, not too healthy pig was born. His name was Zonny and Mom felt so sorry for the runt, she brought him into the house to feed and nurture him. Well, Zonny became a very healthy 500 lb pig that followed us around wherever we went outside. He was so accustomed to following us that one day Zonny got out of his pig pen and got into the front porch of our house and almost got into the house itself. It took all of us with food as treats to get that pig out. That was the last time I saw Zonny. Our parents sold him thinking he was just too much to handle.

I really enjoy being a nurse as well as assisting people with medical issues according to the Nurse Practice Act. I first became a Recreational Therapist because I thought life would be fun in that career. In my 40's, I became an LPN and now in my 50's--I'm pursuing my RN degree--Yes, ladies age is never an excuse to not pursue a degree in Nursing .

Name: Lavone
From: Minnesota

When is was growing up, I was always helping anyone and everyone, even animals. I became an LPN in 1994, and have been loving it ever since.

This past year I decided to get my RN degree. I thought about going to a local college but decided to go online to get my degree. I called The College Network and got started right away. I study when I want and test when I'm ready. I love it!

Name: Nadine
From: Tennessee

I became a nurse because of my dad. When I was 15, I found out that he was diagnosed with MS. I was devastated, but I was unsure what his diagnosis truly meant. I was scared that he wouldn't be there when I graduated high school or when I got married and had children.

On that day, I made the decision to become a nurse not only because I could help my dad understand what was going on with his body, but so I could help OTHER people like him.

I am proud to say that he was there for me at my graduation from high school and walked me down the aisle on my wedding day. Happily, his MS is slow progressing, and he is still mobile and able to play with my children.

I am currently an LPN and am pursuing my Associate Degree in Nursing with the goal to get my Master's Degree. Being a nurse has brought me so much joy. It is a wonderful thing to have a patient who gets terrible news to later thank me for the support I gave them by just being there to listen to them. In addition, being a nurse helped ME to understand my dad's diagnosis and how his disease progresses.

Name: Michelle Kilgore
From: Wisconsin

I knew I wanted to be a nurse when I was a child after I was taken to the hospital to have stitches put in the back of my head.

I had fallen off foundation blocks and split open my head and had to have 13 stitches. The nurses took such good care of me that I knew I wanted to take care of others as well.

My first thing I got after I left the hospital, was my very own plastic play set with doctor bag and stethoscope. I've been trying ever since. I am now an LPN working on getting my RN.

Name: Teresa Pradhan
From: Tennessee