Conquering the Challenges of Life While Attending College
Posted April 29, 2003FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
York, Pennsylvania – The unexpected hardships of life, such as divorce, illness and death, make it difficult for many people to attend college. Jeanne Pastor, a recent graduate of York College of Pennsylvania's Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program for Registered Nurses, can sympathize with many individuals who want to attend college but just can't find the time. Pastor says, “I was divorced with three children and was always working through each semester.”
Pastor began taking a few classes at a local community college in 1974 at age 21. She was married when she began school and quickly realized she wanted to start a family, so she put her education on hold. Nine years later, Pastor was busy raising three girls when she divorced at age 30 and decided it was time to go back to school. She returned to the community college to study art and design. Unfortunately, during this time one of Pastor's daughters became ill with cancer. She was treated for three years but died in May of 1989.
In January 1990, Pastor realized she wanted to get involved in a nursing program. From that point on she has never looked back. In 1993 she finished her RN degree at the community college and for the past ten years has worked as an oncology nurse.
In 1997, she saw an ad in the newspaper about York College's RN to Bachelor's of Science in Nursing program. After taking one class a semester for six years, Pastor was able to complete the program. “I never would have been able to pursue a BSN had it not been for York College. The programs are flexible and I was able to take advantage of the off-site classes that were televised to the local hospitals, and rarely had to travel to the campus for classes,” says Pastor.
She is currently enrolled in York College's Master's of Nursing program. “Just take one semester at a time, there is always a way to get through it,” she tells people who are skeptical of going back to school. Pastor demonstrates the ability to conquer the challenges of life with the determination to finish college.
For more information please contact Randy Gray at (717) 815-1309.
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