For Elizabeth S., graduation day at American Career College in Los Angeles was more than just a milestone. It was a life-changing achievement.
"I'm actually the first one in my family to graduate college," Elizabeth said, moments before walking the stage as a vocational nurse, with her father, brother, and close family cheering her on.
Before joining ACC, Elizabeth worked as a caregiver for autistic young adults. It was in that demanding role that her passion for nursing began to crystallize, especially after witnessing the complex medical needs of her clients.
“My client actually has seizure disorder,” Elizabeth said, “and I wanted to learn a little bit more.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Elizabeth became a certified nursing assistant, and with encouragement from her father and sister-in-law, both inspirations in her life, she enrolled at ACC. But the road wasn’t easy, and Elizabeth faced serious health complications that led to hospitalization during the school year.
Despite those challenges, she praised ACC's support: “The instructors were phenomenal... They helped me encourage my learning as well as improve what I already knew.”
Now, Elizabeth is headed to West Coast University in six months to pursue her BSN and is currently working in a psychiatric unit. Her message to aspiring nurses? “Don’t doubt yourself… Just finish it and show off once you get that diploma.”
