Ever since I was young, I was surrounded by a family deeply involved in healthcare. My grandmother was a labor and delivery nurse, and my father worked as a paramedic. Their stories about caring for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives always left a lasting impression on me. However, for a long time, I never considered a career in healthcare myself. Instead, I spent over a decade teaching elementary school, an experience that I loved and found deeply rewarding. I received a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in educational leadership. I was working towards becoming a school principal with my master's degree, but I found that I was actually moving away from directly working with students and their families and further into the politics of education. Despite my passion for education, I was beginning to feel like something was missing. It was then that I had my "aha" moment. I realized that becoming a nurse would allow me to combine my love for people, my desire to help, and the traits I had honed as an educator—patience, empathy, and the ability to support others through challenges. It was in this moment that I knew this was my new calling. In my time as an educator, I witnessed firsthand the power of care, patience, and compassion. I became aware of how essential these qualities are, not only in teaching children, but also in supporting families during times of stress or difficulty. Because I taught in a low-income community, I found myself drawn to moments when a child or a parent was struggling, where I could offer a hand of support. Slowly, I began to realize that my real passion lay in providing direct care to those in need. My career in education had given me the skills to listen, empathize, and provide support, but I was beginning to crave a more hands-on way to help people. This is what led me to a career in healthcare, a field that had always been close to my heart due to my family’s background. The decision to transition from teaching to nursing wasn’t easy, but I felt a deep sense of purpose guiding me. I returned to school, taking the necessary steps to build the foundation for my nursing career. I am currently completing my pre-requisites for the nursing program at Riverside College of Health. Due to my previous degrees, I am eligible for an accelerated bachelor's program in which I will obtain a BSN in 2.5 years. This decision has been challenging, but I look forward to the future with a sense of excitement and determination. I am confident that my background in education and my family’s influence in healthcare will make me a compassionate, patient, and effective nurse. This journey has been a personal and professional transformation, and I’m thrilled to continue learning and growing as I work towards my goal of providing quality care to those who need it most.

Pursuing a career in nursing is not just a professional aspiration for me—it is a deeply personal journey that stems from my family, my experiences, and my passion for helping others. My desire to become a nurse, particularly in the labor and delivery field, has been nurtured by the remarkable examples set by my grandmother and my father and my experiences as a former elementary school teacher. My grandmother’s career as a labor and delivery nurse profoundly influenced me from a young age. I always admired her dedication to supporting mothers during one of the most vulnerable yet beautiful times of their lives. Her ability to provide care, comfort, and reassurance in the midst of such a life-changing event made me want to follow her example. I saw firsthand the positive impact that a compassionate, skilled nurse could have on a family, and it inspired me to pursue a path where I could make a similar difference. Additionally, growing up with my father, a paramedic, shaped my understanding of the healthcare field in a unique way. I was surrounded by medical terminology, stories from the field, and discussions about how to respond in emergencies. My father’s ability to stay calm and compassionate under pressure taught me invaluable lessons about empathy, quick thinking, and the importance of helping others. These experiences sparked my interest in healthcare and solidified my decision to pursue nursing, where I can combine my passion for medicine with a genuine desire to care for people in their most crucial moments. As a mother, my passion for nursing and specifically labor and delivery nursing has grown even deeper. I have experienced the joys and challenges of pregnancy and childbirth, and I want to help other mothers navigate their own journeys. Birth is such a powerful, emotional, and transformative experience, and I want to be there for other women, providing them with the support and guidance they need to feel confident, empowered, and safe. I believe that every mother deserves to feel cared for, respected, and heard, and as a nurse, I want to be that source of comfort for others. In addition to the influence of my family, my experience as an elementary school teacher for 11 years has also played a significant role in my decision to pursue nursing. Working with children and their families has taught me the importance of communication, patience, and empathy. I have learned to listen attentively, provide reassurance, and support individuals through challenging situations—skills that are essential in nursing, especially in labor and delivery. As a teacher, I worked closely with parents, helping them navigate their child’s development and fostering a strong sense of trust and collaboration. This experience has helped me understand the unique needs of families, and I know that these skills will translate well into my work as a nurse, where building relationships with patients and families is a key part of providing effective care. Teaching has reinforced my desire to be a source of support and guidance for others, making nursing the perfect next step for me to continue helping people in meaningful ways. Becoming a nurse is more than just a career choice to me—it is a way to honor the legacies of my grandmother and father, while also continuing to fulfill my own passion for helping others. Nursing offers me the opportunity to use my personal experiences and professional skills to make a positive impact on the lives of families. I am eager to pursue this career and to offer the same care, compassion, and support that inspired me to choose this path.

As a former teacher, I have always been committed to making a difference in the lives of those around me. I taught for 11 years in elementary school, and I have a passion for working with children and families. I decided to move on from teaching to another caretaking career. Pursuing a career in nursing has always been a dream of mine, inspired by the women and men in my family who have dedicated their lives to helping others. My grandmother, a labor and delivery nurse, served as my initial role model. Her compassionate nature and unwavering commitment to supporting mothers through one of the most transformative experiences of their lives left a lasting impression on me. I was drawn to the idea of being part of such a significant moment in people’s lives, offering support, care, and comfort when it was most needed. I want to follow in her footsteps, not only to carry on the legacy of nursing but to make a real difference in the lives of others, especially mothers. Growing up in a family with a deep connection to healthcare has also fueled my passion for nursing. My father, a paramedic, often shared stories about his experiences in the field. I was surrounded by medical terminology and learned about the profound impact that healthcare professionals can have on people's lives. His stories taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure, thinking quickly, and being a source of support for those in need. I witnessed firsthand how a caring, skilled medical professional can turn a stressful, chaotic situation into one of reassurance and hope. These experiences shaped my desire to pursue nursing, and more specifically, labor and delivery nursing, as it allows me to combine the care of others with a field that has always fascinated me. As a mother myself, my passion for nursing has deepened. I understand the challenges and emotions that come with pregnancy and childbirth. I want to use my skills and knowledge to help other mothers navigate their own birthing experiences, ensuring they feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout the process. Pregnancy and childbirth are times of great joy but also of vulnerability, and I hope to be there for women in a way that brings them comfort and confidence in their own abilities. Every mother deserves the best care, and I want to be a part of a team that provides that care with empathy and professionalism. Ultimately, pursuing a nursing career in labor and delivery allows me to follow my passion for helping others while honoring the legacies of my grandmother and father. I am committed to this field because it offers me the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of mothers and families. With my personal experiences, family influence, and drive to support others, I am excited to take this next step in my journey to become a nurse.

My name is Brittany Hudnall. I am a mother of three boys, and I was an elementary school teacher for 11 years. Teaching is an extremely challenging profession right now in our country, and I found that my job was negatively affecting my mental health which in turn was affecting my own children. I was constantly bringing my work home with me, physically and emotionally. I was exhausted all of the time, and I barely had any energy or patience left for my own kids. I felt like I was failing them as their mother, and I knew I would need to make some changes. This was a very hard decision for me to make, because I did and still do have a passion for teaching and helping children grow and thrive. I also knew it would be difficult financially to start over with a new career path. However, my own well-being and the well-being of my children had to take priority. I decided to career switch to nursing because I am passionate about helping people, which is why I got into education in the first place. I currently have a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in educational leadership. This will allow me to enter an accelerated BSN program to get my RN at Riverside College of Health. My goal is to enter the program by January of 2026, but I am currently taking my pre-requisites at Virginia Peninsula Community College. I will be able to get credit for most of the undergraduate courses and jump right into the nursing courses once I enter the nursing program. While this time will be challenging because I am managing my own classes and my kids' schedules (they all play different sports and are involved in music classes outside of school), as well as working part time to pay the bills I know it will be worth it in the end. I want to do something that I really enjoy and that will also provide for my family financially. Nursing will also provide opportunities for flexible hours. My ultimate goal is to work in Labor and Delivery so I can help other mothers as well. I have an amazing support system that is helping me along this journey. My parents have been amazing in helping me to make goals and plan for the future. My ex-husband and his parents have been extremely helpful with making sure the kids get to all of their practices and games on time. My fiancé has been wonderful in supporting me and my kids financially and taking care of my kids while I am at work or school. My family means everything to me, and everything I do is for them. It is so important for me to be present for my children. While I do have a lot going on, I am managing pretty well because of my amazing support system. I do my very best to make it to school events and all of their games and practices. My school and work schedule is formed around them and their needs. I am so excited for this new journey because I know it will be fulfilling for me, and a great way to support my family.