Originally studying Marine Biology at Northern Arizona University, Lola Jones was adrift. She began to feel like her major wasn’t the right fit for her. After conversations with family and endless research, she decided to embark on a new educational journey.
“Deciding to change my career path was a big challenge in my life. I had a lofty idea of living in the woods and eventually working with animals, but soon came to realize those weren't my actual ideal life goals.”
Jones had many nurses in her family and they were eager to share their wisdom and experiences with her. She soon realized healthcare was the right career move and hoped to one day make a difference in others’ lives.
After completing her prerequisites, Jones was accepted into the Concurrent Enrollment Nursing Program at GateWay. She shares,
“I chose Gateway as my first choice in the Concurrent Enrollment Program because of the great reputation of the nursing program and the NCLEX pass rate,” she said.
As a Concurrent Enrollment Student, Jones is completing her associate degree, while simultaneously working toward her bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University. The program is intense and she shared this piece of advice, “Remember your classmates are going through the same schooling with you, especially now with the pandemic, making everything much more difficult.”
This spring, Jones was presented with the opportunity to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable populations.
“The community members were very eager and excited to be vaccinated; it was refreshing to see progress during this pandemic. It was a great experience giving the vaccine, along with some education when the patient was inquisitive,” Jones added.
Jones looks forward to graduating with her associate degree from GateWay and completing her BS in Nursing degree from ASU. Her future plan is to continue her education and obtain her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Arizona State University.
To learn more about the Concurrent Enrollment Nursing program visit: http://bit.ly/NursingSuccess.