adults . Working as a nursing assistant at a local hospital , she has seen firsthand this population ’ s unique challenges .
“ I loved my rotation at the nursing home . Older adults go through so many changes , and often , they don ’ t understand what ’ s happening to them ,” she explains . “ I ’ ve noticed some patients are reluctant to ask for help or need extra time to eat or brush their teeth . Taking the time to be patient and compassionate makes all the difference .”
For Tiffany , nursing is about meeting patients where they are . “ I want to be a nurse who doesn ’ t rush because I have so many patients . I want them to feel seen and heard .”
Balancing Family and School
Tiffany ’ s journey hasn ’ t been without sacrifices . As a wife and mother of four , she juggles her rigorous nursing program with family life .
“ I ’ ve missed movie nights and trips to the zoo with my kids because I ’ m at the library studying ,” she says . “ But my family has been so supportive . I come home to hugs and encouragement , and that makes all the difference . We all see the end game .”
As Tiffany looks ahead to her second year in the program , she ’ s eager to dive into the complexities of medical-surgical nursing . “ I ’ m really looking forward to learning more about the pathophysiology behind what we do — why we give certain medications and how they work .”
Her ultimate goal is to work bedside after graduation , honing her skills and growing her nursing skills . “ I know for sure that I want to stay bedside for a while . There ’ s so much I can learn there .”
Words of Encouragement
For anyone considering nursing , Tiffany offers heartfelt advice :
“ Don ’ t give up . When you ’ re in it , you ’ ll want to quit , but it ’ s worth it . Keep going . If I can do it , you can do it . And don ’ t be too hard on yourself .”
Her final words are a testament to her journey : “ The relatability of nurses matters . I want to be that nurse for someone who encourages them and helps them believe they can get through it too .”
Her community of peers and professors at Oakland Community College have also been instrumental . “ I didn ’ t know where to start when I first looked into nursing school . But the professors here are amazing — they ’ re rooting for us to succeed .”
Giving Back and Looking Ahead
Beyond the classroom , Tiffany is an active National Student Nurses Association ( NSNA ) member . She participates in volunteer events , from canned food drives to educational opportunities on domestic violence . Recently , she joined the Lung Force Walk at the Detroit Zoo .
“ Volunteering is a chance to make a difference and see all the ways nurses can contribute to their communities ,” she says .
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