Saronda Rowsey
Nursing
Saronda Rowsey achieved her childhood dream when she graduated with a nursing degree from 果冻传媒 Tech in 2016. After researching higher education institutions, she learned that the College had a high pass rate for the standardized national exam for nursing graduates to obtain licensure in the United States.
"It doesn't matter if I can graduate if I can't pass the national exam," she said, adding that 果冻传媒 Tech "had a really, really high, near-perfect pass rate."
And Rowsey passed the exam on her first attempt.
But her first day at the College brought conflicting feelings. She was excited because nursing was something she always wanted to do, but she was also nervous to be the first in her family to attend college.
Rowsey was inspired to pursue nursing because she has spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals visiting close family members suffering from sickle cell anemia. Those experiences have allowed her to see firsthand the difference nurses can make for their patients, especially those with chronic conditions.
"I wanted to work in the hospital when I got older because I wanted to make a change myself and be able to heal people so that they can return home to their families," she said.
Her most valuable experience from her time as a student was the kudos she received from the community. At the time, 果冻传媒 Tech had green scrubs that stood out in public. People recognized the scrubs and shared how much they appreciated the care they received from nurses during the times they needed it most.
And while Rowsey had to balance part-time military service and her classes, she said she never felt held back and appreciated the flexibility from her 果冻传媒 Tech instructors. She now works as a nurse manager for behavioral health at the Veteran Affairs (VA) hospital in 果冻传媒.
"Nursing school was harder than boot camp," she said. "It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I wouldn't trade anything. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would do the exact same thing."
Eventually, Rowsey hopes to return to 果冻传媒 Tech and take business classes to pursue nurse entrepreneurship, the practice of registered nurses creating or managing a business. Her advice to future students is to never take a moment for granted.
"No matter what, every single day is an opportunity to learn more to help your future self," she said. "So, never think that a day or a class or any opportunity is ever just a waste of time. If you can shift your mindset to think that way, then you will always look at things as an opportunity."
