Nursing Scholarship Awarded

As a young, single mother, Claudia DeOca has stories to share.

When she graduated from high school, her father left her mother with six children to care for. College was not an option for her because she needed to help her mother. Later she got married, had her daughter, experienced domestic violence and divorced after three years.

Originally Claudia’s path would have taken her through a CNA and LVN program before enrolling in nursing school. Luckily for Claudia, a counselor intervened and suggested she go straight to nursing school since that was her goal. “She told me that people oftentimes get stuck at one level, begin working and then don’t go any further,” says Claudia.

After completing her prerequisites at East Los Angeles Community College, she is now enrolled in the ADN program and will get her degree in December 2007.

She realizes that she cannot do this alone. Her mentor, Lorraine Gaines, who is the chair of the nursing program at East Los Angeles Community College, guides her and always reminds her to stay focused.

Staying focused is not a problem for Claudia. “I know that I will be able to give my daughter a better future,” she says proudly. Claudia’s plan is to work for a year as a RN and then go back to school and get her BSN degree. Her ultimate goal is to become a nurse anesthetist.

Although Claudia is currently unemployed, she says in her third semester she wants to talk with unwed teenage mothers about becoming nurses. And while classes are stressful, her advice is if you are really passionate about nursing and you believe in yourself and ask questions, you can do it.

Claudia’s scholarship money will be used to pay for books, rent, and child care.

“I look forward to becoming a nurse and giving back to the community,” she says.

Congratulations, Claudia!

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