In the fall of 2010, I found myself being told that I would be laid off from a job that had

afforded my wife, son, and I, a comfortable living. I now was relying on unemployment

benefits, unable to pay my bills, and competing with many other unemployed people for very

few jobs. So at the age of 36, I decided that the most logical thing to do was to return to school.

My family and I moved to Haywood County and I began attending Haywood Community

College.

I began the Fish and Wildlife Management Technology program in 2011 and graduated

with an Associates in Applied Science, Summa Cum Laude in 2013. During this program I

decided to change directions and pursue a career in nursing. Through Haywood Community

College's Continuing Education programs, I took classes in the evening and completed the Nurse

Aide I training program. I took the state certification exam in 2013, and began working at our

community hospital as a Nurse Aide. I continued to attend Haywood Community College during

the next year to finish my requirements for application to the Nursing Program.

During that time I was fortunate to receive the Outstanding Natural Science Student

Award. I began Haywood Community College’s Associates Degree in Nursing program in the

fall of 2014. I have applied for, and received, two Haywood Regional Medical Center Volunteer

Scholarships, and a scholarship from Haywood Healthcare Foundation. These were made

available through the Haywood Community College Foundation. It must be noted that without

their support, I would not have been able to finish my journey. I will graduate this spring and

have already procured employment at our community hospital as a nurse in the Emergency

Department. Haywood Community College has allowed me, through opportunity and

availability, to redirect my life in a positive direction and provided a means to provide for my

family.