Alana Sterling has fulfilled her lifelong dream of turning into a registered nurse.
Alana Sterling is a single mom of two superb women. Alana, initially from Jamaica, lives in Conway along with her two school-age daughters. Her path with Arkansas Single Guardian Scholarship Fund has been an extended journey of success and accomplishment, and her arduous work has led her to full-time employment as a registered nurse for the state of Arkansas.
Alana’s journey with ASPSF started in 2014. On the time, she had a full-time job as a licensed nursing assistant however knew she might do extra. That spring, she began faculty to develop into a licensed sensible nurse. When Alana first utilized for an ASPSF scholarship, she wrote, “I’ve desired to return to highschool for 11 years. My dream is to develop into a nurse so I can present high quality and caring well being care to these in want in addition to turning into a task mannequin and higher supplier for my kids.”
She continued taking lessons full-time whereas working full-time — even through the summer time phrases. In October 2016, Alana realized that to finish her coursework and graduate in December, she would wish to chop again her hours at work. This was not an choice for her employer, so she give up her job to complete her schooling. With out an revenue, issues had been very tight for her and her daughters. She persevered and obtained help by means of United Manner’s Charity Tracker program. Throughout that point, Alana obtained help from ASPSF in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
On December 6, 2016, she graduated from the College of Arkansas Group School at Morrilton on the dean’s checklist along with her certificates in sensible nursing. A number of weeks later, she sat for her licensing examination after which began her new, full-time job as a licensed sensible nurse on January 16, 2017. Alana labored for 2 years earlier than returning to highschool — and ASPSF — within the fall of 2019 to work towards her registered nurse license and bachelor’s diploma.
Alana then started working for Conway Human Improvement Heart. When COVID-19 hit, she labored eight hours a day within the two buildings that housed COVID sufferers for the middle day-after-day throughout 2020 and 2021. Earlier than the vaccine was developed, she needed to put on full skilled safety clothes at her job. After work, she needed to enter her residence and disrobe in an remoted room near the washer earlier than showering, redressing, and eventually greeting her kids for the night.
This yr, in 2022, Alana turned employed with the Arkansas Division of Human Companies as a registered nurse in February. Alana has fulfilled her lifelong dream of turning into a registered nurse and is now efficiently employed with a state group that gives a wonderful wage and well being advantages for her and her household. This thrilling alternative permits her to develop her profession and financially plan for the long run.
We’re so pleased with you, Alana! We all know you’ll do superb issues as a registered nurse working for the state. For details about Arkansas Single Mother and father Scholarship Fund scholarships, volunteer alternatives, and methods to offer, go to aspsf.org.
Alana Sterling lives in Conway and has two daughters.
Observe: The headline of this weblog put up has been corrected to indicate that Alana Sterling remains to be a recipient. She has two extra semesters earlier than she earns her bachelor’s diploma in nursing.