Tabitha Easton shares her experience as a Baylor online Distance ABSN student. View her testimonial below.
Read full testimonial transcript below.
Tabitha Easton shares her experience as a Baylor online Distance ABSN student
Tell us about your professional and educational background before starting in Baylor's ABSN program.
I have an associate’s in chemistry, a bachelor's in biomedical science and a master's in biomedical science. I was a tutor for eight years and I was actually pursuing medical school, but God directed me a different path and now I am in nursing school. I'm very happy.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
My dad has cancer for a third time now. He has stage four mandibular cancer and he's been dealing with this for about five years. It's been really hard, and he's been in the hospital and seeing how the nurses cared for him really inspired me. I said, "Okay, this is what I want with a patient. I want to get to know them on a personal level. I want them to know I'm here for you, I care for you." And letting the family know, "If you need me, I'm here for you. We're going to get through this together." They're not just a number to me because I know what it feels like.
Why did you decide now was the right time for a career change and to pursue an ABSN?
I felt like I needed to do something more [and] I've always loved healthcare. I know that God called me to serve his people, and I wanted to pursue something in medicine because that's where my calling is.
What does it mean to you to be a Baylor nurse?
To be a Baylor nurse means to be kind, to incorporate your faith into your practice. I think that's a big role in being a Baylor nurse. I think it's being competent, being filled with love, being knowledgeable. That is something that I look forward to giving on the floor when I'm representing this school.
Tell us about your experience so far during the on-campus immersion.
It's so cool to meet everybody in person. It's so different from seeing them on camera. I've made so many friends, [and] we've bonded together and we're each other's support system. Everybody is so kind, so encouraging, and really wants the other person to succeed as well, so we can all get through this together.
What advice do you have for potential students who are considering enrolling in Baylor's online ABSN program?
The advice I have for potential students who are looking to enroll in Baylor's distance accelerated program for nursing is just do it. You're going to [be] so proud of yourself. You're going to have a career that you can really feel proud of, that you serve others. And I feel like serving others is what life is about.
How important is it to you to work with underserved populations in rural communities as an RN?
To work with the underserved is something that is so big on my heart because I believe every single person deserves equal opportunities. I believe every single person deserves to be cared for, no matter who you are, what you do, how much money you have. You are a child of God, and I'm going to love you. My heart has always been to work with the underserved. So, as I get to be an RN, I want to give back to the community.
