obstacles and succeeded, proving that their commitment to the nursing profession was unwavering even in the face of adversity. "I always think of the quote, 'Love what you do, and you'll never work a day in your life.' That's what I feel when I'm teaching." Sheila's Story Sheila's motivation to become a nurse was sparked during a challenging time in her life. "My last baby was premature and she was at Driscoll Children's Hospital for months," Sheila recounted. "Every day, I would go sit by her bassinet in a rocking chair." Witnessing the dedicated nurses caring for her premature baby in the neonatal intensive care unit left a lasting impression on her. "I never had a desire to be a pediatric nurse," Sheila admitted, "but I knew I wanted to be a nurse then." Despite facing personal challenges, her determination to pursue a career in nursing only grew stronger and in 2001, Sheila graduated from CBC. Recalling her time as a student at CBC, Sheila spoke fondly of the instructors who left an indelible mark on her. "The instructors that I had were amazing. They made such an impact at that point in my life. I would like to do that for my students." Inspired by their dedication and passion, she aspires to make a similar impact on her own students, "I can't imagine doing anything else." Tammy's Story Tammy Luna's personal journey is one of resilience and determination. As a teen mother who didn't graduate high school, she faced numerous challenges early on. However, her passion for nursing and her desire to create a better future for herself and her children drove her to pursue education at Coastal Bend College.
Tammy Luna and her daughters at their respective nursing pinning and graduation ceremonies The transformative power of education became evident in Tammy's life as she transitioned from being a medical assistant to becoming a nurse. She recalls a nurse named Wendy who made a profound impact on her as a young, pregnant teenager, igniting her desire to follow a similar path of compassion and kindness. This experience led her to pursue a nursing career and ultimately become an educator. Education became a cornerstone in Tammy's household, as both of her daughters also chose nursing as their profession. She takes immense pride in their accomplishments and the emphasis they place on education in their family. With her daughters pursuing higher degrees in nursing, Tammy's home has become a haven of education and achievement. To learn more about the Coastal Bend College/ Bee County College Alumni &
Friends Association, visit coastalbend.edu/ alumni.
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