Wytheville Community College graduate, Johanah Gallimore, completed the Practical Nursing program and is ready to start a career in nursing. Gallimore remained determined to persist through the adversity of a global pandemic to become a nurse.
Gallimore, who lives in Carroll County, experienced adversity during one semester that resulted in her asking a stranger for help. During the summer of 2020 she experienced a power outage at her home that kept her from logging in to complete an important test for one of her nursing classes. Gallimore was determined to complete her test on time and set out to find internet access she could connect to that would also provide a power outlet to power her device. Fortunately, she met a lady who offered to assist.
Gallimore found her inspiration to become a nurse from family members that work in healthcare and life experiences. Her drive to care for people comes from an experience she had while in a breakroom at a previous pharmacy job, when she found herself feeling helpless to help someone having a seizure. This experience has pushed Gallimore to have a desire to learn how to help people as a nurse.
Continuing to draw on her experience, Gallimore found her pharmacology class to be one of her easier classes. Although the one class was easier for her, Gallimore said that the classes were tougher than she expected them to be. Even with classes being tough, she said that one of her favorite instructors, Mrs. Marie Thomas, would make sure students would know and understand what was being taught and that it could be applied to the nursing profession.
When asked what she would tell prospective students about the program, Gallimore said, “The program is very rewarding in most aspects but takes a lot of time and work. Being a nursing is rewarding when you get to start working with and helping patients.”
The Practical Nursing Certificate program at WCC is designed to prepare students for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). LPNs work in a variety of clinical settings, such as nursing homes, doctors’ offices, home health, and hospitals. For more information about Practical Nursing Program or other career centered programs at WCC visit www.wcc.vccs.edu/.
