(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The heartache of her aunt’s passing and coping with her own health struggles fueled Savannah Fuentes’ determination to pursue a career in health care.
The Harlingen native, who is working toward a Vocational Nursing certificate of completion at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, has one goal in mind: to effect positive change as a nurse.
“No one in my family was a nurse, but I’ve felt drawn to the profession,” she said. “Learning about my family’s medical history of cancer and autoimmune disorder motivated me to pursue a nursing career.”
Fuentes said both her mother’s health concerns and her own medical experiences reinforced her commitment.
“I’ve witnessed my mom struggle after she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder,” she said. “Now that I’m facing the same diagnosis, I’m grateful to be studying nursing.”
Having wrapped up her second semester in the program, Fuentes said the instructors taught the students an important lesson.
“Whether in lectures or during clinicals, they have emphasized showing compassion,” Fuentes said.
Robert Morman is one of her instructors at TSTC.
“Savannah has managed to overcome her personal barriers while being successful in our program,” he said. “She absorbs the medical information and is a strong contributor in many conversations.”
Fuentes said there is a personal goal that she has her sights set on achieving.
“I would like to have a future job in pediatric oncology,” she said. “I had to get surgery on my arm when I was young. The pediatric nurses who took care of me were amazing. I want to do that for children as well.”
In Texas, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn an average annual salary of $60,150, according to onetonline.org, which forecast the number of such positions to grow in the state by 12% from 2022 to 2032.
TSTC offers a Vocational Nursing certificate of completion at its Breckenridge, Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses. An Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing is offered at its Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses.
For more information, go to tstc.edu.