Finding her way back to pursue a passion for nursing

Victoria Vianey Valenciana, 27, is returning to college to pursue a career in nursing after taking time away from school and exploring a career in education. A Rio Grande City native, Valenciana is in her first semester of South Texas College’s Vocational Nursing program.

“STC has always been so welcoming, and they were always there when I needed to take a break and when I was ready to come back,” Valenciana said.

Valenciana’s interest in nursing began when she was a teenager after a frightening experience led her to the hospital. She remembers how friendly and caring the hospital staff were and how their compassion made her feel safe and comfortable during a difficult experience.

“I felt fine because I knew I was in good hands,” she said.

The experience stayed with Valenciana and inspired her to want to provide that same sense of care and comfort to others. Although she eventually pursued education and earned her bachelor’s degree in 2023, she said nursing remained a passion.

Her experience in education taught her patience, compassion and hard work, skills she now carries with her into the nursing program. Valenciana returned to college because said she realized she did not want to look back later in life and wonder what could have happened if she had followed her passion for nursing.

“Sometimes you need to return back to where you started, but this time stronger and ready to pursue my passion,” Valenciana said.

Valenciana said she never felt judged or as though she was asking too many questions during the process of returning to college. She is now grateful to have another opportunity to pursue her goals and appreciates that the Vocational Nursing program can be completed in one year.

Her dedication to the program is evident in the way she approaches her studies. Valenciana said she arrives on campus an hour or two before class begins to have a cup of coffee and get focused and ready to study.

As she continues through the program, Valenciana will gain hands-on experience through clinicals at nursing homes, medical clinics or hospitals, where she will be able to apply what she has learned in the classroom.

She said, being a perfectionist has been a challenge and she has sometimes struggled with feeling like she is behind, but she has learned that she can still accomplish her goals and that the process is all part of learning.

Valenciana encourages other students who have taken time away from college to not to give up on their goals. She hopes her journey can serve as an example that taking a different path does not mean losing sight of where you are meant to go.

For Valenciana, returning to college has given her a renewed appreciation for the opportunity to pursue her passion. She is determined to complete the Vocational Nursing program and begin a career where she can provide others with the same care and comfort that inspired her years ago.