Adding to the excitement of Tracy Smith’s last semester in Lone Star College-CyFair’s nursing program is the recent Texas Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (TOADN) $500 scholarship she received.
“I was very surprised when I was awarded the scholarship,” said Smith, who is two classes shy of applying for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program. “It is so tough to get one and I am very thankful to have been chosen as a recipient. It will be such a help to me and my family.”
TOADN, an organization of nursing program directors throughout Texas, awarded 10 scholarships this year from more than 200 applicants. Three of the 10 recipients were Lone Star College System students including Smith as well as Jessica Patin from LSC-Kingwood and Nancy Carman Cumel from LSC-Tomball.
Smith said she chose to attend LSC-CyFair for many reasons but simply put, it felt like home. LSC-CyFair offers what a student needs to succeed, she said, and her experience has been nothing but positive from the advisors to the library staff to the professors. What sold Smith on LSC-CyFair’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, was the nursing information session and the program’s block curriculum.
“They took the time to educate perspective nursing students about the application process, what to expect both financially and academically during the program, and information about the nursing industry,” she said. “Yes, the schedule and demands of the nursing program have tested my abilities, but I have persevered and have come a long way both academically and mentally in the preparation of becoming a nurse … Their expectations are high and because of that, I feel I will become a better prepared graduate nurse.”
Upon December graduation with her ADN, Smith’s goal is to gain further skills and experience with patient care working in a community hospital.
“I love working with people and feel that I have a nurturing quality that will be a good asset to patients and their families in times of illness and disease,” said Smith, who plans to pursue her MSN as she loves being a student, learning and growing.
For information on LSC-CyFair’s nursing programs and spring information sessions, go to LoneStar.edu/nursing-dept-cyfair.