I grew up the third oldest of eight children. We were poor. My hard-working father never finished college. My mother the same, she just wanted to have a family and be the mom she never had. Both of my parents are dreamers. They didn’t believe formal education was necessary. I grew up being taught all I needed to succeed was a dream and the desire to stick to it. I struggled in school most my life. From early on in elementary to high school. I did so poorly in high school the traditional school told me if I wanted to graduate on time I needed to go through the alternative school. According to my principal the only chance I had was to use a different program.
My parents were their usual positive selves, encouraging me to get through high school with the alternative program. I remember telling my friends I was going to the alternative school and many of them asked when my due date was. In the area I grew up in a girl only went to the alternative school if they were pregnant. I started school and found I was surrounded by many kids who were not in the best homes, who were single teen moms, and who had no support. I was lucky because none of these described me. I flourished in Alternative school. I was on the honor roll every month and I graduated early.
My bad grades the first year of high school really affected my GPA. I had no idea how hard it was to recover from those grades. Regardless of my three years of success in the alternative school I still graduated with a GPA of 1.89. My principal helped me get a scholarship to the local community college and said he had hoped I would finish college one day and be one of the few successes from that school. With all that I had going against me, I still desired a college education. My parents couldn’t offer any help in the way of finances toward school. They often told me, “If you really want to go to college you’ll find a way to get there.” And I have. I now have a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and even made the Dean’s list. I am a Registered Nurse! If you are unaware of this type of degree it is said to be one of the hardest degrees to get for undergrad schools.
The nursing program itself requires high GPAs and impressive scores in math, chemistry, biology, psychology, and other demanding subjects. During my college experience I discovered who I was, my motivation, and ability to preserver. I loved and hated many of my classes but gave every single one my best effort. It paid off and continues to pay off. In the medical field learning never stops. Hard things never get easier. The ability to handle those hard things and polish my effort has only gotten better. I realized I am capable of hard things, being encouraged when I was young only helped me as an adult. Once I made the decision to do it I didn't quit.
I recently went to my sons high school graduation information night where they talked about the programs they have as electives that lead to college credit and get you started on paths to get you into college programs like nursing. One Teacher explained how the nursing program has the most applicants and is highly desired but no one can get into it if they don't do well in High School and keep a GPA of 3.5 or better. I just cringed and felt so upset about his inability to encourage all to do their best if that is what they really want. If I was told that in High School I would have never tried in college! I would have dismissed it as not for me because I was not "that smart". The truth is everyone is "that smart", they just have to find their motivation. If there is a will then there is a way no matter the circumstance. Limiting one's perspective and placing labels like "smart" based on a number is the most degrading and psychologically abusive type of thought a respected and trusted adult can place in a child's mind.
I have had some very inspiring people help set an example. Those who showed me that success was possible, even if the road to it was a little longer and required more than the other roads. One of those amazing examples, who most recently, has inspired me is one of my college professors. She is a woman unlike any other. She showed me how to be passionate about the work we were learning, one who stood up for others and brought meaning to the words of advocate, beneficence, and sacrifice. She sacrificed her time to make sure many of her students understood the complex material with after hour study sessions. She had mine and all her student’s welfare in mind, teaching us patience and forgiveness. She gave pep talks to me and many others when we were on the brink of emotional stress, ready to give up from the rigors of the program we were in. She is the person I can only hope to emulate one day.
She has had trials of her own in her life that she used as examples of inspiration that I connected with. She is like me, a single mom. She is a wonderful nurse who has saved many lives spiritually and physically. She has taught the generations of nurses who now take care of her loved ones and work with her in emergency situations. She has a second job at Life Flight in addition to her students she lovingly calls her “peeps”. In the nursing program at LCSC I have found a teacher who is the definition of love and service. One who truly out shines any teacher I have ever been taught by. She is Ella-Mae Keats. My peep!
Sky High Alternative School year book pics 1997:
2018 Nursing simulations:
