Nursing dreams fueled by heart and purpose
Student of the Week: Monica Garcia
The resources and opportunities STC gives us have really helped. They make it easier to stay focused and keep going.
Monica Garcia, 21, is working toward her associate degree in Nursing at South Texas College, with her sights set on becoming a pediatric registered nurse. For Garcia, the choice to enter the nursing field wasn’t just a career decision it was a personal calling,
“I’ve always wanted to be a nurse,” she said. “My grandmother was diabetic, and I helped my mom take care of her. Seeing the way the nurses cared for her stuck with me. My mom would always tell me about how the nurses cared for me when I was a baby too.”
That early exposure helped her realize she had what it takes to pursue the profession.
“I have a really caring heart,” she said. “I tend to put others before myself, so, nursing just felt like the right fit.”
Currently completing her final two prerequisite courses, Garcia plans to take the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) exam and apply to STC’s Nursing program next spring. She was drawn to the college’s strong reputation and affordability.
“STC checked all the boxes,” she said.
Garcia is also involved in the Student Government Association (SGA), where she found a sense of community that made a difference in her college experience.
“I’ve met so many amazing people through SGA,” she said. “I’ve grown socially and gotten to be a part of volunteer events that really matter.”
One of the things she appreciates most about STC is the support she receives.
“The resources and opportunities STC gives us, like the work-study program, have really helped,” she said. “They make it easier to stay focused and keep going.”
Garcia’s dream is to work with children, and she already has some experience.
“I worked at the Boys and Girls Club before, so I know I love working with kids,” she said. “That’s why pediatrics is my goal.”
As she looks ahead to her final classes, she reminds herself to stay grounded.
“It’s cliché, but I always say, ‘It’s not a bad life, it’s just a bad day,’” she said. “That quote has gotten me through a lot.”
For Garcia, it all leads to the moment she walks the stage with a cap and gown.
“That’s what keeps me pushing,” she said. “I want to get my degree and start my career. Even when it’s tough, I know it’s going to be worth it.”