“These days I try to encourage everyone to not give up on their dreams. If I can do it, anyone can do it!”

I lost my job in 2013 after working in the medical field for over 20 years as an Office Manager and as a Medical Assistant. I struggled with decisions over what to do next and was trying to figure out what career move would be the best for me. I was contemplating moving out of the area, to seek employment in a bigger town, and then tragically in April of 2014 my sister lost her life in a car accident, with the loss of my sister I felt I was needed here to be near family and more importantly to be near the daughter my sister left behind, my 11 year old niece.

Now, knowing I needed to stay in the area I had no idea what I was going to do for a job or for a career. Over the years I had taken different courses at Northern Oklahoma College and I had even applied for the Nursing Program when I was younger, but didn’t make the cut. After a lot of thought, I decided to apply for the Nursing Program again, and this time I’m proud to say, I made it!

I just finished my first year of the program. It’s been tough going back to school after all these years, needing to be there for my family, for my niece, dealing with the emotions that come from losing someone so close to you, and now getting back into a routine of classes and homework. There has been a lot of changes and obstacles in my life, but I have a new determination. I feel like I have an advantage going back to school now that my kids are grown and I don’t have the distractions that I would have had when I was younger. I’m focused and ready to take on my future. I have one more year here at NOC and when I graduate I want to move to Tulsa and work in the Trauma Center at St. Francis.

These days I try to encourage everyone to not give up on their dreams. If I can do it, anyone can do it!

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