My name is Mary Lou and I am a graduate student at the School of Nursing at University of California of Los Angeles (UCLA). I received my undergraduate degree from California State University of San Bernardino (CSUSB) in the Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health Education and a minor in Psychology. Shortly after the birth of my second child, at the age of twenty-three, I became a single mother -- a change that would highly impact me academically, financially and emotionally. I always knew I wanted to become a nurse however, it was difficult keeping up with the high demands of both school and my personal life at home while at the same time working a full time job. My grades began to drop significantly and I was told by my academic advisor that I was not competitive enough to ever be accepted into a nursing program and should change my pre-nursing major to something else, thus pursue a different career path. Devastated after being told I was not good enough for nursing, I chose a different major which had similar pre-requisites I had already completed while I was a pre-nursing student, Public Health Education and completely loved that aspect of health care.
I kept an optimistic attitude and knew that one day, when I was ready, I would continue to pursue nursing again. During the last year of my undergraduate degree at CSUSB, UCLA along visited my then campus, CSUSB, for a pre-health pre-med information conference. That’s when I discovered the Master’s Entry Level Nursing (MECN) program at UCLA, an entry level graduate program for individuals with a degree in another discipline wanting to pursue nursing. I immediately was captivated and eager to know there was another avenue to reach my goal of becoming a nurse. I dedicated the remainder of my undergraduate degree working towards acceptance to the UCLA’s School of Nursing and a few months after applying, I heard back from the only school I was determined to get into, UCLA. I chose to pursue my graduate degree at UCLA not only because of its prestige but also because they are a school of opportunity. Every aspect of their graduate program in nursing drew me in more and more and I finally understood why I was discouraged from nursing for so many years, it was so I could find my way to UCLA.
I have now relocated with my kids to Los Angeles for graduate school and although it can be difficult at times as a single mother finding balance between my children and their needs and keeping up with the rigorous nursing program, life is great and we are enjoying life in LA. My favorite thing about the city so far is being surrounded by so many individuals with similar goals as myself as well as living so close to the beach!
My name is Mary Lou and I am a graduate student at the School of Nursing at University of California of Los Angeles (UCLA). I received my undergraduate degree from California State University of San Bernardino (CSUSB) in the Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health Education and a minor in Psychology. Shortly after the birth of my second child, at the age of twenty-three, I became a single mother -- a change that would highly impact me academically, financially and emotionally. I always knew I wanted to become a nurse however, it was difficult keeping up with the high demands of both school and my personal life at home while at the same time working a full time job. My grades began to drop significantly and I was told by my academic advisor that I was not competitive enough to ever be accepted into a nursing program and should change my pre-nursing major to something else, thus pursue a different career path. Devastated after being told I was not good enough for nursing, I chose a different major which had similar pre-requisites I had already completed while I was a pre-nursing student, Public Health Education and completely loved that aspect of health care.
:)
