Sisterly advice leads Breckenridge resident to TSTC’s Vocational Nursing program
By Ben Barkley/TSTC
Sisterly advice led Sally Hitchcock to Texas State Technical College’s Vocational Nursing program in Breckenridge.
Hitchcock’s sister completed TSTC’s Vocational Nursing and Registered Nursing programs and recommended that she look into it as a career path. She is on track to graduate in December.
“I always wanted to be a nurse. The timing and finances were not always there for me,” Hitchcock said. “My sister gave me the push I needed to get started.”
In addition to the push, Hitchcock said, her sister offered advice. “She told me I would not be disappointed with the program or instructors,” she said. “The instructors want to see you succeed and do your best.”
Another thing her sister told her was not to fear saying something most people do not like to say. “My sister told me that it would be OK to say no to functions and other events,” Hitchcock said. “I knew that would be hard, but it is something I knew I would have to do.”
With studying taking up more time, Hitchcock has leaned more on her family. “My husband has taken over the mom-and-dad duties around the house. He has been supportive of me while I am in school,” she said.
Hitchcock said TSTC’s instructors have helped her and her classmates throughout the semester in adjusting to online learning.
“The instructors have made this transition as easy as possible for us,” she said.
Having to adjust to online learning will also be a learning experience Hitchcock will use in the nursing field.
“It is going to help me deal with crisis management,” she said. “Many of the nurses we talk to during clinicals said day-to-day things are changing for them. It is fascinating to see all of the protocols they have to go through.”
Hitchcock noticed a consistency in the nursing field. “The nurses are a patient’s main support system. There is no family around some of the patients,” she said. “They are not only nurses, but they are the patient’s companion. That is what I want to be to my patients.”
Hitchcock plans to continue her education and has a career goal of becoming a hospice nurse. Like her sister, she has some advice for anyone thinking about entering the nursing profession.
“I would tell people don’t wait until you are 37 to get started,” she said. “Still, this was one of the best decisions of my life.”
For more information about TSTC’s Vocational Nursing program in Breckenridge, click here to visit the website.
The Breckenridge TSTC campus also offers the following programs:
Business Management Technology
Chemical Dependency Counseling
Occupational Safety Compliance
