Why Jennifer Chose Nursing as a Second Career
By Ciara Wiegers
For many prospective students, nursing school is not the first chapter. It is the next one. It is a decision made after building a career, raising a family, and realizing you are ready for something more. Meet Jennifer, one of Research College of Nursing’s incredible student ambassadors, who is a powerful example of what it looks like to pursue nursing after living a full and busy life.
Jennifer grew up in a small town in southeast Oklahoma. She moved to Kansas City in 2017 and built a life filled with family, work, routines, and responsibilities long before she ever stepped into a nursing classroom. As a mom, choosing to leave her previous career required courage and a willingness to take on something new.
When she decided she was ready to pursue nursing, RCoN stood out right away, She shared that Karen Brooks, Academic Advisor, “was absolutely wonderful from the very beginning and made my next steps prior to acceptance very seamless. And the one-year ABSN program aligned well with my life.”
Her motivation for becoming a nurse comes from a deeply personal place. Jennifer explained, “I want to be the kind of person who cares for someone else’s family member the way I would want my own family cared for during difficult moments. This is out of appreciation for the caretaker that took care of my aunt while she was dying.” That experience shaped her understanding of compassion and strengthened her desire to be a source of comfort for others.
As a mom balancing school, home, and everything in between, Jennifer found something at RCoN she did not expect. She said, “Never have I ever had an educational experience feel this welcoming, seen, appreciated, valued, and supported.” She describes the faculty and staff as people who genuinely care, from the morning greetings at the front desk to instructors who encourage students every step of the way, IT staff who jump in quickly, and student engagement activities that make campus feel like a community rather than a place you simply pass through.
Jennifer stays involved by volunteering and serving as a Student Ambassador, finding connection and purpose in helping others navigate the same transition she made. Her advice for moms or anyone pursuing nursing after living life is simple and practical: “Get a planner. Stay organized so you stay on top of it.”
Jennifer’s journey is a reminder that nursing school is not only for those starting fresh. It is for those starting again with experience, perspective, and a deep sense of purpose. At RCoN, you are supported, encouraged, and welcomed exactly as you are.
