Nursing Scholarship Awarded

Jessica Rivera began her nursing education at Los Medanos College in 2001 where she completed her prerequisites and received her Associates Degree. She transferred to Sonoma State University in 2003, applied for the fast track program in nursing and hasn’t looked back. She will graduate on December 16th, 2005 with her Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree.

As a child growing up Jessica Rivera says she used to play nurse with her dolls. When she got into high school, she took a couple of classes related to the medical field and realized that being a nurse was what she wanted to do. When she was 19, she visited a hospital and was so impressed by a nurse whom she considered “an angel” and wanted to be just like her.

Jessica is the first person in her family to attend college and obtain a degree; however, the journey has not been without its challenges. She has encountered some barriers along the way. “Financially, my parents have been working very hard putting my brother and me through school,” she says. “I am very thankful and I consider myself very fortunate.” In addition to the support received by her family, Jessica received enormous support and words of encouragement from a nursing instructor - You are going to make a wonderful nurse. “The support is so necessary, that I know I can call her anytime if I need help,” says Jessica.

One of Jessica’s biggest challenges is the hectic schedule of education, learning, and application. She says she’s in school one day and at the hospital working the following day; two days of clinical every other week from 7 - 3 pm and going to school one day a week from 9 - 6 pm.

In light of her rigorous schedule, Jessica is committed to community outreach and finds time to give back. She is a member of Sonoma Students United in Nursing—an on campus student nurse association. “We did a walk for cancer, helped the local women’s shelters, and did fundraisers for breast cancer,” says Jessica. She recently joined Sigma Theta Tau, an international nursing honor society, and during the summer devotes her time serving as a volunteer at the Planned Parenthood in Concord. As a volunteer, she not only reinforces her educational foundation through hands on; she gains an insight in the importance of the role of the Registered Nurse and being bilingual. Her ability to speak Spanish and translate meets the needs of the community being served and increases the patients’ ability to understand.

As for being one of the scholarship recipients she says, “It feels great. I am honored and happy and my hard work is paying off.”

Once graduated, Jessica wants to work in med/surg to apply and begin to master her nursing practice. Later, she would like to return to school and obtain a Masters Degree in Nursing and perhaps become a nurse practitioner.

Congratulations, Jessica!

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