Toni Winterbauer, a wife, mother of three and the third oldest of seven siblings, knew she was destined to work in health care, but her journey wasn’t easy. Winterbauer is a student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Lone Star College.
“Growing up, I realized that blood and other ‘gross’ medical conditions did not bother me. I wanted to learn more about it,” said Winterbauer. “I’ve always wanted to help people and I knew health care, particularly nursing, is how I would achieve my passion.”
Winterbauer says her role as a caregiver naturally propelled her into a career in health care. Her talents, compassion and hard work have earned her a Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses Scholarship. Winterbauer and two other Houston-area nursing students received $3,000, a commemorative award at the Salute to Nurses Luncheon and recognition in the Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses special section. Winterbauer, selected out of 120 nominations, was shocked but excited to win the scholarship.
“When they initially emailed me to tell me I won, I ignored it because I didn’t apply for the award. I thought it was a phishing attempt to access my personal information,” said Winterbauer. “It wasn’t until they called and my manager admitted that she nominated me that I realized the scholarship was legitimate. I was deeply honored and grateful to receive it, which will help pay for my remaining educational costs.”
Winterbauer took college courses at LSC-Montgomery and LSC-Kingwood before her family moved to Nebraska. When they returned to Houston in 2016, the LSC nursing student worked at a clinic but knew she wanted to continue her education. On her way home from work, Winterbauer stopped at LSC-Montgomery to inquire about the BSN program.
“I walked in, spoke to an advisor and left that same day enrolled in the BSN program,” said Winterbauer. “I couldn’t believe this opportunity landed in my lap. The BSN program has been an incredible experience. The director, faculty members and staff have been helpful and supportive to me and other students through various obstacles.”
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is for licensed registered nurses wanting to advance their professional qualifications in various health care settings, including hospitals, acute, long-term care and community public health clinics.
“Lone Star College’s RN to BSN program is a quality and student-friendly program, providing nurses access to furthering their education while working full time and supporting a family,” said Brandi Crawford, DNP, LSC executive director, RN to BSN program. “Toni’s Salute to Nurses Scholarship is a testament to the quality and deserving nurses enrolled in the program. Additionally, Toni possesses empathy, critical thinking, adaptability and resiliency, all good qualities needed to be an excellent nurse today.”
Winterbauer will graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Lone Star College in August. She will continue to work as a peritoneal dialysis nurse at DaVita but plans to earn a master’s degree in another health-related field, like labor and delivery. For now, Winterbauer is focusing on finishing school, spending time with her family and exploring her hobbies of baking, gardening, knitting, planting and raising chickens.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was the first baccalaureate degree offered at Lone Star College. Learn more at LoneStar.edu/Nursing.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D., serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2023 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.