Working as a barista when she was pregnant with her daughter, Marley Williams wanted to make a career change. Passionate about helping others, she decided to go back to school to pursue nursing. At Middlesex Community College, she is learning through a combination of classroom, clinical and simulation lab experiences she believes will provide her with stability and help her make a positive difference in people’s lives.
“MCC has given me the opportunity to build a future for myself and my family,” Williams said. “Going back to school as a mom has not been easy, but it has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made. I wanted to provide a good life for my daughter and show her that you can be a mom and still pursue your passions and career goals. I chose nursing because I want a career that I feel good about at the end of each day.”
In her classes, Williams develops theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills to be a caring and productive nurse. She is then able to practice in the college’s new simulation skills lab, which provides a safe and supportive environment to make her comfortable before working with real patients.
MCC’s program also offers a series of clinical rotations at partner hospitals to enhance students’ learning. At these sites, Williams hears from alumni and other professionals who highlight the high-level of preparedness of Middlesex graduates. Her favorite rotation has been in mental health where she realized the value of showing kindness and using therapeutic communication toward patients.
“Clinical is where all the pieces come together,” Williams said. “You get to connect what you’ve learned in class to real-life patients and scenarios. Connecting theory to clinical practice really cements the learning in my brain. I feel confident that I’m being prepared to provide safe and compassionate care.”
In addition to hands-on experiences, Williams feels Middlesex professors are one of the biggest strengths of the program. Supportive faculty members provide guidance and encouragement, while challenging students to push themselves and not give up.
MCC pharmacology professor Brie Woodworth has made a positive impact on Williams in particular. While the course was the most difficult for her, Woodworth guided Williams through an interactive teaching style and high expectations. Throughout her classes, Williams knew Woodworth and her other professors wanted her to succeed.
“I have always felt supported by professors both within and outside of the nursing program,” Williams said. “It’s obvious that all the nursing faculty are there because they truly want the best for all students. My confidence and critical thinking ability have also grown exponentially.”
Coming to MCC because of the college’s high NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) pass rate, Williams was also able to get her degree for free through the Massachusetts free college programs. As an adult learner, she also benefitted from classmates from a variety of different ages, backgrounds and life experiences.
Williams looks forward to starting work as a registered nurse after graduating from MCC. Wanting to continue her education to earn a bachelor’s degree, she is interested in pursuing a job in mental health. In the future, she is considering getting a master’s to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Her experience at Middlesex has provided Williams with the chance to pursue these dreams.
“I hope that my story shows others – especially other parents – that it’s never too late to pursue their goals,” she said. “I can’t wait for graduation with my daughter in the audience.”