From CNA to RN: Tory’s Journey to Achieve Her Nursing Dreams

For me, success is achieving my dreams and goals to better one's life while sharing it with others. My name is Tory, I am 46 years old and have graduated from Minnesota West Technical College with my Associates's Degree in Nursing. I will start from the beginning by explaining how i achieved my goal of becoming a nurse. In May of 2021, I lost my job at a nursing home due to the facility closing their doors for good. I was a CNA who cared for residents and assisted with daily activities. During the week of closure, I was handed a gray folder from the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, the CareerForce Center in Marshall. I opened it and noticed that I could have the opportunity to go back to school with the help of tuition and other benefits. I was considered a dislocated worker after losing my job, so I made the decision to continue my education, go to college, and become an LPN. I graduated in May 2023 and passed my LPN boards in June. I then continued with two summer classes before entering the Associate nursing program in the fall of 2023. I was presented with the opportunity to further my education and become an RN with the help and support of my career specialist, Taylor. A year later, in 2024, I graduated from the Associate Nursing Program, passed my RN nursing boards, and am now officially an RN. The program was a life-changing experience, along with the support from my specialist, Taylor. She guided me and provided me with the assistance and tools to achieve my dreams. Throughout this three-year journey I gave it my all, I studied every day, dedicated my time in achieving my purpose to become a Nurse. I am looking forward to starting my career, providing care to patients while educating them to promote a healthy lifestyle, along with providing social and emotional support to better the lives of others in my community.