Sara Turns Nursing School Setbacks into Career Success

Sara’s dream of becoming a nurse faced many challenges, but with the support of ICC, she turned those obstacles into stepping stones to success.
After earning her Certified Nursing Assistant certificate, Sara entered the workforce, but pursuing a nursing degree seemed out of reach, especially as a mother raising three young children.
In spite of the challenges she faced, Sara was determined to reach her goal. In 2020, when her children were older, she was accepted into the Registered Nurse (RN) program and began to write her success story at ICC.
As a naturally shy person, Sara thrived in online classes during the pandemic but found the transition back to in-person learning was overwhelming. After struggling to adapt, she made the difficult decision to leave the program.
Rather than giving up, Sara reset her goals, saying, “It’s only a failure if you stop, and failure doesn’t define you.” She enrolled in the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program, knowing it would offer a bridge pathway back into the RN program.
If I could succeed in the LPN program, I knew I could do the RN program, too.
Sara leaned heavily on the comprehensive support services ICC offers, from Counseling Services to the Academic Support Center. They helped her manage her coursework, work commitments, and family responsibilities. Scholarships from the Educational Foundation eased the financial burden, enabling her to care for her children while earning her degree.
Key mentors at ICC also made a lasting impact on Sara. Health Careers professor Ebonnie Gordon mentored Sara, helping her retain information and staying in touch even while she was on maternity leave.
Christine Crowley from the Academic Support Center helped Sara grasp challenging concepts, offering encouragement and rephrasing questions to ensure clarity. “To this day, when I face challenges, I hear Chris’s voice reminding me, ‘Sara, you know this,’” she says.
Today, Sara’s future is brighter than she ever imagined. After completing her neonatal RN degree, she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing and may even continue on to a master’s degree so she can teach. Just four years ago, she never could have imagined being where she is now, and she credits ICC with playing a pivotal role in her journey.