Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Being a nurse is something I have always dreamed of doing and nothing was going to get in my way of becoming one, or at least I thought. I began my secondary education at Grambling State University in 2013 majoring in nursing. After my junior year, Grambling lost their nursing program and I was forced with two options, transfer to another university or change my major. I decided to change my major to biology, and I graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology in 2017. In 2018, Grambling State University's nursing program was reinstated. I decided to return to finish what I started. I applied for nursing school in 2019 and got accepted. Being in nursing school was my most challenging time in life, both academically and financially. When nursing school takes over your life, I can say that nursing school truly did. I had to focus more on my studies than other aspects of my life and learned so much in a short amount of time. But, even though I had a lot to study and do throughout nursing school, that wasn't my biggest issue. Starting my first semester of nursing school, I was notified by Grambling's financial aid department that I had exhausted all my financial aid and I needed to find a way to pay for school or I would have to drop out. But dropping out was never an option, even though I was clueless on how I was going to pay. I applied for many programs, including "Phocas" but got denied. After thinking I was out of options, I contacted the community manager where I lived, Mrs. Helen McFee from the Monroe Housing Authority. Mrs. McFee offered encouragement and she connected me with MHA's social worker, Mrs. Cloteel Edwards. Thankfully, Mrs. Edwards was able to connect me with resources to assist with payments for school fees, books, and other things related to my educational needs. On April 14, 2021, I graduated from Grambling State University with a degree in Nursing. I want to thank Monroe Housing Authority so much for all they have done for me. I highly recommend anyone who is living in Monroe Housing Authority Communities and needs help reaching Lockhart their goals to contact their community's manager and ask for assistance.

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