Nursing profession intrigued TSTC student at young age

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Sherry Love knows she will have career options when she completes Texas State Technical College’s Vocational Nursing program in December.

Love is studying to become a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), with plans to remain in her hometown of Breckenridge after graduating.

“I know nursing has a very vast job field,” she said. “When you finish your degree, you will always have a place to work. Nurses are always in need, and I am glad to be joining this profession.”

Nursing intrigued Love at an early age.

“When I was younger, I was in a hospital and was intrigued by what the nurses were doing,” she said. “One of the nurses had an impact on me, and that is one of the reasons I chose to become a nurse.”

TSTC instructor Jenny Wingate sees a bright future for Love.

“Sherry possesses excellent skills working with both classmates and professional health care members in the clinical settings,” she said.

Love said Wingate has been helpful throughout her time in college.

“She goes out of her way to make sure we have all the things we need to study the curriculum and provides us with external resources,” she said.

Love had to overcome some hurdles during her studies..

“COVID has been a challenge because it made us adapt to a new way of learning, and the winter storm was a setback,” she said. “We had to overcome (having) a week away from school, but we all made it through the situation.”

But one thing came out of the challenges.

“I know when I am working, challenges will come up, and this showed me that I can work through them,” Love said.

Wingate said Love possesses one key skill that nurses need.

“She is able to critically think in critical situations and is very knowledgeable about disease processes utilizing the nursing process,” she said. “Due to these things, coupled with a high sense of integrity, I have no doubt she will be successful in her future journey in health care.”

Love has a passion to help others and wants to do that in her hometown.

“I am excited to get my license and be a productive member of the workforce,” she said.

Love will join a growing profession, according to onetonline.org. The website stated that LVN jobs are forecast to increase 11% in Texas by 2028, with more than 82,000 nurses in the workforce. The median salary for LVNs in Texas is $47,760, the website showed.

TSTC’s Vocational Nursing certificate program is available at the Breckenridge, Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses. TSTC also offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing at the Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses. 

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.