Adults know that life is hard. But Kat will tell you that “hard” does not begin to cover the challenges she faced returning to school as an adult learner.
This was Kat’s second time around at GRCC. She earned an associates degree in 2015 and then became a CNA. Friends and family encouraged her to become a nurse, so she came back to GRCC. Kat appreciated the expertise of the faculty and the hands-on experience of the program.
She found that professors pushed her to do it right, but also stood right alongside her to build confidence and competence.
Kat successfully completed her degree in December 2023 and passed her board exam in February 2024. She is now working for Corewell Health in sub-acute rehab.
“I have never failed at anything, and I failed three classes,” she admits. “I wanted to give up so many times. Friends were dropping out left and right. I had to form new relationships and motivate myself to persevere. And I did, because I wanted to be a GRCC nurse. The biggest compliment I receive now is that people don’t think I’m new to the profession. I’m proud of what I accomplished, and I know that I’m meant to be a nurse.”