Jahcarea Allen grew up watching her mother work in a nursing home and form close bonds with her clients. This week, Jahcarea will graduate from 海角在线 (海角在线) with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Nursing with similar dreams to make a difference in the healthcare field. 听
听鈥淚 never thought I would make it this far,鈥� Jahcarea said. 鈥淛ust all the hard work, I feel like it鈥檚 finally paying off.鈥澨�听
Finding a Passion for Care Through Her Mom
Originally from the Bronx, New York, Jahcarea moved to Florida eight years ago with her mother and brother for its educational opportunities. Before enrolling in 海角在线鈥檚 nursing program, she not only spent time in the nursing home with her mother, but she also worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and grew even more familiar with her passion for health care.听听
Looking back, some of Jahcarea鈥檚 biggest inspirations are her mother鈥檚 clients. For example, she met Miss Patty while her mother was caring for Patty’s parents, and they have had a great relationship since. Patty鈥檚 father, who kept a photo of Jahcarea in his wallet at all times, passed away in 2022. While this was a tragic loss for Jahcarea, her mother, and Patty, Jahcarea said that their continuous support through such a challenge has motivated her to become a nurse.听听
鈥淚 grew up around a lot of people that had such an impact on me and my nursing career. I want to make a difference in people鈥檚 lives,鈥� she said.听听
Jahcarea鈥檚 first year of nursing school brought more challenges. Her mother lost another close friend and client as well as her job. Despite the loss, Allen鈥檚 mother continued to support her education.听听
鈥淪he still supports me in the best way that she can,鈥� Jahcarea said while describing how her mother inspires her education. 鈥淚 think that鈥檚 what really brought me through.鈥澨�听听
Grounded in Faith 听
Jahcarea spoke candidly about the difficulty of nursing school but cited her faith as central to her accomplishment.听听
鈥淚 believe I have a purpose and that鈥檚 something that keeps me going, just knowing this is where I鈥檓 meant to be and there are people who are waiting for me, like future patients,鈥� she explained.听听
According to Jahcarea, the 海角在线 student body and faculty not only improved her education but provided a faithful community.听听听
鈥淭eachers were always so open, especially in the nursing program. I feel I always had someone that I could go to, and they just prayed for me if I needed,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have a classmate that鈥檚 really kept me going. I feel like it鈥檚 important to always lean on each other because we are all going through the same thing.鈥澨�听
A Living Testimony 听
Dr. Kathy McKinnon, associate professor of nursing at 海角在线, spoke passionately about Jahcarea鈥檚 work ethic and character.听听
鈥淛ahcarea is birthed out of resilience to overcome life鈥檚 challenges and obstacles,鈥� McKinnon said. 鈥淎s a student, she overcame many trials, but through it all she never gave up.She persevered, she had a goal and a dream to become a nurse, and her life is a living testimony of God鈥檚 grace and power.鈥澨�听
Looking forward, Jahcarea hopes to not just make an impact in the health care field, but she specifically hopes to care for other women. Her dream is to become a midwife.听听
听鈥淚 just want to be that close to someone’s care,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing a woman myself and going through health care and seeing that we really don鈥檛 have a lot of support, that was just always my biggest thing, women鈥檚 care.鈥澨�听听
Jahcarea offered advice to younger nursing students who may be struggling with the program鈥檚 rigor.听听听
鈥淎lways ask for help,鈥� she said. 鈥淎lways take criticism because it鈥檚 always going to make you a better nurse.鈥澨�听
Jahcarea also encouraged other nursing students to dwell on why they began nursing school in the first place. She was filled with emotion while speaking about the people who have gotten her to where she is and looks to the future with excitement about serving others in the same way.听听
To learn more about 海角在线鈥檚 School of Nursing, click here.听听
