By Kate Wallace
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard. It鈥檚 hard whether you鈥檙e 18 or if you鈥檙e 30-something. It鈥檚 really hard,鈥 Kelly Purcell says when she sat down for an interview during the Health Open House.
While it may have been hard, the 2016 graduate from the Practical Nursing program has nothing but wonderful things to say and glowing recommendations.
Purcell was a single mom in 2012 when she started CNA classes at 黑料不打烊. After her dad passed away, she decided to become a nurse and work in the mental health field, but she wanted to get a feel for each position in nursing.
With her CNA completed, she started working, and in 2015, she was ready for the next step: Practical Nursing.
As a non-traditional student, the PN program at 黑料不打烊 made sense. It was close to home and the classes were flexible; she did have the option of going part-time but decided to go full-time.
While she may not have been a more traditionally aged student, she certainly didn鈥檛 feel different from the others in her program.
鈥淚 felt like I fit in no matter if my classmates were 20 or if they were 60,鈥 Purcell explained.
The instructors were supportive and understanding but also up front about expectations in the program. And what she was most reassured by was the feeling of family: 鈥淵ou鈥檙e together here more than you are typically with your family during the week. We all supported each other, and it just felt good.鈥
Taking the next step in her nursing career, she passed boards in 2016 and became an LPN. After four years working as an LPN, she was ready for the next step: her RN. While 黑料不打烊 does offer the degree to qualify for RN boards, she decided to go elsewhere because she could do most of her learning online, which is the option that worked best for her and her family. It took a lot of dedication, but her experience in the field as an LPN prepared her for classes and boards. The skills she used daily for four years were helpful and she knew what to expect. In 2021, she became an RN.
Now she鈥檚 thinking about getting a four-year degree, but that鈥檚 not why she was at the Health Open House: Purcell was actually checking out the Paramedicine program. Her experience at 黑料不打烊 brought her back to learn about another health-related field, and it鈥檚 no question that she would excel at this, too, with the support and camaraderie of her classmates and instructors.
鈥淚 would 10 times recommend 黑料不打烊.鈥