When Becky Turley walked into the admissions office at Southwest Virginia Community College in 2003, she wanted to get more information about the LPN to RN bridge program. However, the Licensed Practical Nurse was unsure if she wanted to quit her job to pursue the Registered Nursing program. Little did she know she wouldn’t have to quit her job to pursue her dream. While at the College, she found out about a new program that SwVCC had to offer through the Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program -- the evening and weekend RN program. “After that everything just fell into place,” comments Turley.
The evening and weekend RN program allows students to pursue a RN while continuing to work. For students entering the program with no nursing experience, the program takes three (3) years to complete. The first year, classes meet one night a week and students participate in a clinical rotation every other weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Students who are LPNs like Turley join the class during the second year after completing the bridge and taking a LPN transition class. During the second year, classes meet one night every other week and have clinicals one weekend a month.
“This program is designed for working adults who want to go to school but cannot attend school five days a week in a traditional program. Students can earn the degree without losing income and benefits. It is an exact replica of our daytime program. Within three years you can be retrained and have a RN beside your name,” said Neyia Beavers, coordinator of the evening and weekend RN program.
Enrolling in an RN program is something that Turley had wanted to do for a long time. She graduated from the LPN program at a local vocational school and was licensed by age 19. Turley married and had two children and spent those years concentrating on her family. “In 1984, I began taking elective classes and working on the LPN to RN bridge.” However, at that time she was working full-time and didn’t want to quit her job to pursue a degree. “I had finally landed a wonderful job in a doctor’s office. I had good hours and weekends off to spend with my family. This is what I had worked for. If this program had been available then, I would have done this earlier,” said Turley.
She put her education on hold and did not pursue it until that fateful day in 2003. She decided to make the transition from LPN to RN because of the many opportunities that are available to RNs. “I have been in nursing long enough. I felt I should have been able to get a degree.”
The program is very manageable for students. “Many of our students work a full-time job and have a family,” said Beavers.
Turley agrees, “The program is very doable. The classes schedule worked well for me. I had time to study, read, and prepare for each class.”
During the period that Turley was enrolled in the program she faced much adversity including personal illness and the tragic loss of her youngest son, Clint in December of 2005 just months before she finished the program.
She didn’t think she could bear to finish the program. During those dark days a co-worker reminded Turley of a conversation that she had with her husband and son at the beginning of the program. “After I had started the program, I got a little overwhelmed at first and told my husband, ‘I don’t think I’ll make it. It is so hard. I just don’t think I can do it.’ My son, Clint, who overheard the comment had said, ‘You can’t quit, you’re not a quitter.”
Turley reminded herself of those words her son had spoken everyday and with the support of her family, friends, and the faculty of the program, she was able to make it through. “The faculty really helped me through it. They helped me deal with my loss and offered to do anything to help.” She graduated in May of 2006, “I made it. I felt like I made it against all odds.” She took the national licensure exam shortly after graduation and is now working as a Registered Nurse.
Individuals interested in the nursing program must have a high school diploma or equivalent. They also need to have completed high school Chemistry, Biology, and Algebra. Individuals must apply to the SwVCC and the program, take the COMPASS or ASSET test, and have a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
For more information about the program contact Neyia Beavers, coordinator of the program at 276.964.7659.