Life for me has never been traditional. I had children young, married before my career, and had to go back to get my high school diploma at 27. I returned to my high school, Glenville, and they allowed me to complete the English class I needed and retake the OGT. It was God's grace. After years of soul-searching and trying to find what felt fulfilling, I kept coming back to the beginning and not loving what I was doing.
I was an Aide for several years, went to college, achieved an associate's degree, became a CPR instructor, and went to get my advanced manicurist license in hopes of opening up my own nail spa that also offered other services.
I was successful. I opened a thrift store with a nail station and offered CPR classes and notary services (one of my many quests), but it was more difficult than I imagined without a strong team. I was in business for 2 1/2 years and doing well, all while being separated from my husband with five children. I began to fall into a depression because I was unsure if I had made the right decision. So I shut down my shop and returned to school (God's plan). I wanted my children to see and know that with hard work and dedication, you can do anything! Nursing school was always in the plan, but I ran from it! It came back full circle, and I surpassed any doubt and nay-sayers.
I researched several schools, but Hondros was the best match for me. They offered flexible schedules and the growth opportunities to advance to becoming an RN.
Succeeding in nursing school requires dedication, isolation, and perseverance! There is never a right time to start nursing school. Just take a leap of faith and DO IT! It will change your life. It has definitely changed mine! I did it with five children, and you can do it too! Nothing is too GOOD for you to have because YOU ARE GREAT! Connect with like-minded people in your cohort and grind. I won’t lie to you, it was scary, hard, complicated, and time-consuming. However, it was essential for my
growth and built the needed character within me for my children to model.
Tyesha Payne is a student in the Practical Nursing Program at our Independence campus.