He came to the U.S.A. from Ghana, West Africa in 1989. He had worked as an accountant in his homeland, but found that he could not use his previous degree here in the United States. He soon discovered that living in the U.S. while working in a low-paying job, was quite difficult. This financial struggle made him determined to make a positive change for his future. He passed a course to become a Certified Nursing Assistant in one semester, and found the work to be very rewarding. After one year in this position, he went back to school and became a LPN in 1991. After having an opportunity to see nurses working in a hospital setting, he decided to return to school to become a RN. He entered a bachelor of nursing program, which he successfully completed in 1996. He was so motivated in his quest for life-long learning, that he began working on TWO degrees at the same time and successfully completed a double Master’s as a Nurse Practitioner, and specialty in education in 2005. Would George be content with his previous accomplishments? The answer is no. He then entered a program where he graduated in 2010 with his Doctorate of Nurse Practice (DNP).
I was fascinated as I listened to him explain how his educational experience and interests unfolded. I asked him what his inspiration was that maintained his determination and a desire to continually grow. He stated that his father once told him that “a room full of gold (meaning your wealth) could be stored at home, but if no one was there to watch it, that gold would most likely be gone when you returned! Someone could come in and rob all of one’s wealth! But when one is educated, no one can steal that knowledge away from you!”
When I heard these words of wisdom, I recognized how true this statement was! I recognized how important it is for each of us to invest in ourselves in a way that no one can ever take it away from us!
Where would you like to be in the next five years? Is there a desire to grow in your heart – would you love to expand your knowledge and multiply what you know? Is it time to cultivate your brain? It is never too late!
Linda Rosier, MSN, RN
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