Single Mom of 5, Denise Troy, determined to achieve goals

A growing number of parents, like RCC student Denise Troy, are deciding it’s not too late to return to the classroom to retrain for the workforce. In fact, they see it as the perfect time to do so and are re-defining what it means to be a college student.

A survey by the College Savings Foundation in Washington, D.C., found that many parents of college-aged students are changing careers and will need more career and education training during a time when the job market landscape is changing dramatically.

The survey found that 41% of parents, including single parents, are seeking career-oriented and affordable higher education for themselves and their children through technical training at community colleges.

For Denise, a single mother of 5, Robeson Community College has become the gateway to achieving her goal of becoming a nurse.

“When I was younger, I always wanted to help people, but with having a child at a young age, I had to reconsider my goals,” stated Denise, who is now in her early 40s.

While in high school, Denise became a Certified Nursing Assistant and held jobs in home health and hospice throughout her 20s. She continued to move up in healthcare, going back to school to learn phlebotomy through a continuing education course at RCC, which she says helped her in her current role as a Certified Dialysis Tech.

“I received on-the-job training for Dialysis Tech, but learning phlebotomy helped me because many of the same principles carry over into that profession,” said Denise. “I have been in the medical field all my life, but my goal was always to be a nurse.”

In 2004, Denise attended Robeson Community College but had to stop when she had another child.

“I had no support,” said Denise. “I needed to take care of my children.”

With many of her children now grown, Denise decided it was time to finish what she started so many years ago. She credits her 5 kids, all girls – Lyric, Chania, Zaneta, Lillymae, and True – with giving her the push she needed to go back to school to achieve her dreams.

“I applied to RCC, completed financial aid, signed up for classes, and the story goes on,” said Denise.

This semester Denise enrolled in 4 classes – Anatomy & Physiology, Introduction to Ethics, Medical Terminology, and Introduction to Health Careers – all classes needed to be accepted into the nursing program.

“I was very discouraged at first about coming back to school, being older, and having to take online classes and trying to get into the nursing program,” Denise explained, as she reflected on how much college had changed from when she initially enrolled and some of the challenges she has faced.

“My oldest girls are college students too and they give me encouragement, saying, you can do it, it’s always what you wanted to do, and that I can do whatever I put my mind to,” stated Denise. “They told me to stop making excuses and said they would help me if I needed it.”

Just recently Denise did need some help and her oldest daughter was right there by her side.

“I didn’t know how to download a lockdown browser for one of my online classes,” Denise said. “So, I had to get Lyric to help me with that.”

In preparation for nursing school, Denise says she’s saving money so she can get through the program once she is accepted, and knows that it will be hard, but that she’s determined to not let anything stand her in the way.

“I’m trying to get my mind right, I’m studying to take the Teas test so I can make a good grade, and I’m trying hard to make A’s and B’s in all of my classes this semester,” said Denise. “I’m preparing for the application into nursing school, trying to get references lined up, and I’m working to finish up the general education classes, so I can get into the program.”

“I always work hard,” Denise, adds. “I am very determined by all means.”

With the shortage of healthcare workers, Denise says that it has been more stressful to work under the circumstances presented by the pandemic, but that it has also motivated her in ways she never imagined.

“It’s another reason why I started back to school this fall,” Denise said. “It has pushed me to start this goal and to finish my dreams.”

In many ways, Covid-19 has made Denise realize how vital the nursing profession is in making a difference and saving lives.

“I have seen the shortages, and the impact it has had,” stated Denise. “I want to make a difference. I want to give back to the community and help give patients the adequate care they deserve.”

After being back in school for a few months, and conquering her fears, Denise has also realized another important fact about life.

“It’s never too late to finish your dreams or follow your passion, it’s never too late,” says Denise. “The only failed dream is the dream not attempted.”