Resilience Rewarded

Resilience Rewarded: Nursing Student Earns Scholarship to Follow Her Passion for Care

At just 23 years old, Kiera has already overcome numerous challenges and discovered her true calling in life. Growing up in Galion, Ohio, Kiera’s journey has been shaped by the adversity she faced as a child of divorce and the support she received from her family, especially her three older brothers. Kiera has recently received a scholarship from the North Central State College Foundation to pursue a degree in Practical Nursing. Her path has been anything but easy, but each obstacle has only strengthened her resolve to pursue her dreams.

North Central State College Foundation has partnered with Avita Health to offer scholarships for aspiring Licensed Practical Nursing (LPNs).  This initiative aims to support students in pursuing their healthcare careers while

Kiera’s parents separated when she was just three years old, an experience that planted the seeds of resilience in her young heart. “I learned early on what it means to persevere,” Kiera reflects. “Going through that at such a young age, I had to grow up quickly and face the challenges that came with it.”

Raised with three older brothers, Kiera often found herself the youngest, but also the most eager to follow in their footsteps. Her brothers, each forging their own paths in life, became role models for her. She admired their tenacity and perseverance and was inspired by their dedication to hard work and education. “They showed me the value of pushing through, no matter how hard things get,” she explains. “Watching them helped me realize that no matter what obstacles I faced, I could always aim higher.”

Despite the family challenges, Kiera was determined to succeed. Education became her anchor, and it wasn’t long before she set her sights on a future where she could help others, just as her brothers had done for her.

Today, Kiera is not just a dedicated nursing student; she is also a proud mother of two young children, a 3-year-old boy and a 1-year-old girl. Being a single mother while attending nursing school has been a difficult balancing act, filled with both highs and lows. But the love and support from her family help keep her grounded. “Life can get chaotic, but I am committed to pushing through,” she says. “I’m dedicated to making a future for my children and pursuing a career that makes me feel alive.”

It was during a life-changing moment in March 2023, when Kiera gave birth to her daughter, that her path toward nursing truly solidified. Though her pregnancy had progressed normally, her labor took an unexpected and frightening turn during delivery. Kiera was in her early 20s and filled with anticipation, but things quickly became complicated when her daughter’s shoulder became displaced during the pushing stage.

“I had a plan in my head for how my delivery was going to go, but that all changed in an instant,” Kiera recalls. “I was scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to expect next. I wasn’t prepared for what was happening.”

In the midst of this chaos, one person stood out to Kiera: her nurse. Rather than being swept up in the urgency of the situation, this nurse remained calm and offered Kiera reassurance. She explained that the doctor would need to use forceps to deliver the baby, and that there was a possibility her daughter’s shoulder could be broken in the process. Yet, it wasn’t just the technical details that reassured Kiera—it was the nurse’s compassion.

“She made me feel like I was the only person who mattered in that room,” Kiera says. “Despite the dozens of people ready to jump in and assist, she focused on me. Her kindness and professionalism changed everything for me in that moment. It was her care that gave me strength, and I knew then that I wanted to give that same care to others.”

It was in that moment of fear and uncertainty that Kiera discovered her calling: nursing. The experience of being cared for so deeply in such a vulnerable time inspired her to become the kind of nurse who not only heals the body but also nurtures the soul.

“I realized that this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” she explains. “I wanted to be there for people in their most vulnerable moments, just as that nurse was for me.”

She adopted the motto, “I’ll take care of you the way I hope you would take care of me,” as a guiding principle in her life and nursing journey. The experience shaped her understanding of what nursing truly means—being there for people not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, offering them comfort in times of distress.

Now, Kiera is fortunate enough to work alongside the same nurse who inspired her at Avita Health Systems. Watching her mentor interact with patients with dedication and empathy reminds Kiera of the kind of nurse she aspires to become. “If I am ever half the nurse that she is, I will have accomplished my dream,” Kiera says.

The lessons Kiera learned from her own experience—kindness, compassion, and patient-centered care—have become the foundation of her nursing philosophy. She believes that in a world where people often feel powerless in times of illness, offering kindness can make all the difference. “Someone will always remember how they were treated during the most vulnerable time of their life,” she says. “I want to be remembered as the nurse who was kind, who showed love and compassion when it was needed most.”

As she continues her nursing studies, Kiera is deeply grateful for the opportunities she has received. She was awarded a scholarship that has helped ease some of the financial burdens of school, and she values the support from a community of people who genuinely care about the future of healthcare.

“I’m extremely grateful for this scholarship and for the people who believe in me,” Kiera says. “Being part of a group that actually cares, where everyone is working toward a common goal, means the world to me.”

Kiera’s journey has been one of resilience, courage, and transformation. From her early childhood challenges to becoming a single mother and now a nursing student, she has faced obstacles head-on, and with each step, she has grown stronger and more determined. Her experience has taught her that no matter how chaotic life may seem, there is always a way to push through and pursue a meaningful future.

Looking ahead, Kiera is committed to becoming a nurse who embodies the compassion and care that once saved her in her moment of need. In her words, “I want to be the kind of nurse who makes people feel seen, heard, and cared for—because that’s what nursing is truly about.”

For Kiera, the road ahead may still be filled with challenges, but one thing is certain: her heart is set on making a difference.