09/02/2026
“I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was little. My mom has always been a CNA. She would come home in scrubs. I was inspired.
“In high school, I worked as an office manager and stayed there after I graduated. It was familiar. Now, I’m almost 30. I have three kids. My oldest is 5 and just started kindergarten. My second daughter is 3, and I have a newborn who is 2 months old.
“When I had my first child, she was in the NICU. The nurses took really good care of me, and it really matters during that time who is taking care of you. You’re going through a lot.
“After I had my second child, I realized I was not happy where I was working or where I was in life. I wanted to do something worthwhile. I deserve more for myself and my family.
“I went back to school. Honestly, I didn’t think I could do it. But there was another parent in the program. She did it, so I thought I could do it, too. I want to be a labor and delivery nurse.
“I work full-time as a CNA. I’ve been on night shifts for about a year. Balancing school and work is doable, but it takes a lot of sacrifice. I’ve had to learn how to manage my time and stay organized. There are days when I’m tired, but I remind myself why I started in the first place.”
— Michelle Rivas, Germanna student
