I decided to pursue a career in healthcare because I’ve always had a deep desire to help people and be there for them during their most vulnerable moments. I worked in registration for over 10 years, and while I loved interacting with patients and supporting them, I often felt limited in how much I could truly advocate for them. Many providers and staff recognized my compassion and would tell me I should become a nurse; that stuck with me. I realized that I wanted a role where I could make a greater impact, build meaningful connections, and directly contribute to better patient outcomes. Nursing allows me to combine compassion, advocacy, and hands-on care in a way that feels purposeful.
I decided to attend Hondros College of Nursing after seeing Hondros students completing clinicals at my workplace. In that moment, something clicked for me. I had been holding myself back due to fear and self-doubt, especially because school had been challenging for me in the past. But I took a leap of faith and made the call during my lunch break to apply. The accelerated program made my dream feel more achievable because of the shorter timeline. Hondros gave me the opportunity to start fresh, focus on my goals, and prove to myself that I was capable of succeeding.
Taking that leap of faith changed my life. Nursing is something I’ve felt called to do for a long time, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Being able to advocate for my father before he passed away during my LPN program solidified my purpose in this field. I graduated from the LPN program in April 2025 and am now continuing my journey in the ADN program. I’m grateful for the support I’ve received and for the opportunity to turn my dream into reality.
To reach my goals, I had to develop discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic. I pushed past my self-doubt and committed to studying hard, even when it wasn’t easy—especially as a single mom of three. I stayed focused, managed my time carefully, and kept reminding myself why I started. One moment that stands out is when I scored 100/100 on a biology exam during my LPN program. That showed me that with dedication and effort, I could succeed academically. I also stayed determined through personal challenges, including losing my father during my program. I used that experience to strengthen my purpose in becoming a nurse.
To future students, my advice would be not to let fear or your past hold you back. If you have the desire to pursue healthcare, trust that it’s there for a reason. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. Stay focused, believe in yourself, and take it one step at a time. Everyone’s journey looks different, and you don’t have to be perfect to start. If I can do it as a single mom with challenges along the way, anyone can. Just take that first step, you’ll grow into the person you need to become.
—Shatoria Blue is a student in the Associate Degree in Nursing program at the Akron campus.