In 2021, Melanie Cotton, LPN , was homeless and in jeopardy of dropping out of Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing – until she was selected to receive a scholarship from the Rochester General Hospital Association. Due to the financial support, Melanie graduated from the program in June 2022. Today, she is a licensed practical nurse at Rochester Regional Health. Melanie is grateful for the scholarship, which helps make nursing education more accessible for students like her. She is even more thankful now that she is able to have a career that allows her to take care of others. Follow her story through these questions and answers.
Q: What was it that made you want to join the nursing profession? A: I joined the nursing profession after working with different people in various specialties. I love to see the excitement on their faces when I walk through the door, and I appreciate the very positive feedback I receive from both patients and families. I know nursing is my passion because taking care of others is what matters most to me.
Q: How did the Rochester General Hospital Association Scholarship help you? A: At the time, I was facing a major hardship being homeless. The scholarship helped pay my tuition and allowed me to focus on other areas of my life, like getting an apartment. It was a big weight off my shoulders knowing that I didn’t have to pick one or the other. I am very grateful to have been selected for the Rochester General Hospital Association Scholarship and to those who financially support this opportunity.
Q: How long have you worked at Rochester Regional Health?
Q: Has becoming a nurse made a difference in your life? If so, how?
A: I have worked for Rochester Regional Health for almost one year. I started as a lead tech at Unity Hospital, then a certified nursing assistant at Unity Living Center. Now, I’m a licensed practical nurse at Unity Living Center. Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced in becoming a nurse? A: Some of the biggest challenges I faced while in nursing school were battling major mental and physical health issues. I also was homeless for a short period of time and at risk of dropping out of nursing school. Q: How did you overcome that? A: I overcame these challenges by staying focused and having faculty members like Ms. Walters, Ms. Lawrence, and Ms. Layton in my corner. They helped keep me on a path to success. I also focused on the short-term goal, which was to graduate and become a nurse, so I would be able to put myself in a greater position financially to never have to be homeless again.
12 | FALL 2022 IMPACT NEWSLETTER: GRATITUDE EDITION | ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH A DREAM ACHIEVED THROUGH Melanie Cotton, LPN Scholarship Support
A: Becoming a nurse has made a major difference in my life. I now think before I act. I’m more focused. I’m more determined. I also feel that I am a stronger leader. I can also help myself out of stressful situations by using my own thought process I learned while becoming a nurse. Q: When you think about your career, what makes you grateful? A: When I think about my career, I am thankful most that I made it here through everything I’ve been through – not just in nursing school but in life itself. And I’m grateful that I gave my mother the chance to see her daughter do great things. Q: Is there anything else you'd like to tell people? A: I would love to tell future nursing students (and students in general) that life gets tough, especially when you are doing something great and bettering your life, but never give up. There is always a great bright light at the end of a very dark road. Stay focused and succeed.
ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH | FALL 2022 IMPACT NEWSLETTER: GRATITUDE EDITION | 13
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