SCHOLAR
SPOTLIGHT : ALICIA DUNCAN
AdventHealth Health Programs Scholarship Hometown : Temple Terrace , FL
What influenced your decision to attend PHSC ? I had never even heard of PHSC until I moved to Wesley Chapel . One day , I passed the school and after doing some research , and reading amazing reviews regarding the nursing program , I decided it was time to go back to school .
Back in May 2010 , I earned a bachelor ’ s degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from the University of South Florida ( USF ). My original major when I started at USF was nursing . However , at the age of 18 I simply was not disciplined enough to pursue a nursing degree . I told myself that I would go back to school someday . After graduating from USF , I began a career in social services and became very good at my job and was content . I convinced myself that I would never go back to school or set foot in a classroom again unless it was to decorate my husband ’ s classroom . My mom would frequently remind me of my dream to become a nurse , but I convinced myself that I couldn ’ t handle bodily fluids , blood , and any “ nasty stuff .” In August 2015 , my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer . After her surgery , she was scheduled to receive home health care , but the home care never came . Suddenly , I was forced to deal with all the “ nasty stuff ” that I thought I couldn ’ t handle . The possibility of nursing school came up again , but I thought I was too late ! At that time , I was married and we had a young child . A couple months later , we found out we were expecting a second child . Never did I think that I would stumble upon PHSC and have the opportunity to pursue my dream .
When I researched PHSC ’ s nursing program I became so motivated by the NCLEX pass rates , and the fact that the program would “ only ” take two years . So , I enrolled taking one class at a time to knock out a few prerequisites . I applied for the nursing program and told myself that I probably wouldn ’ t get in the first time because it ’ s so competitive . To my surprise , I was accepted ! Simply a dream come true !
What is your fondest PHSC memory ? Honestly , I have so many ! Each semester I bonded with at least one instructor who made a lasting impression on my life . I have met some amazing friends and have had wonderful clinical experiences , meeting nurses whom I remain in contact with today . However , the greatest memory of all was on October 25 , 2021 . I was sitting in a library study room taking my final exam and ATI NCLEX Comprehensive Predictor . In total the exam was over 200 questions , and I was having severe anxiety . I had to pass these tests or I would not pass my final semester . Well , I passed ! I just sat and stared at the computer . I was shocked , relieved , happy , overwhelmed … every emotion you can imagine !
Is there someone at PHSC that you admire and why ? My nursing instructors ! I admire them for their service in the nursing field , as well as the hard work they put into grooming and developing the next generation of nurses ! I also admire each of them for their creativity , hard work and resiliency as they continued to provide us with a quality education during a pandemic . They have showed me tough love , believed in me , pushed me , and most importantly celebrated my successes !
What did receiving this PHSC Foundation scholarship mean to you ? This scholarship means the absolute world to me ! When I enrolled in school , I didn ’ t have a plan to cover the cost , because I wasn ’ t 100 % confident I would even get into the nursing program . Each semester , I was awarded a Foundation scholarship which supported me by assisting with tuition and helping to pay for textbooks . If it weren ’ t for the Foundation , I ’ m not sure what I would have done as I don ’ t qualify for the Pell Grant . I work in social services and my husband is a teacher . As I mentioned
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