HPOG Success Story: Ana Karen at San Jacinto Community College

Publication Date: June 21, 2019
Current as of:

Ana Karen smiles in her nurse uniform

Pasadena, TX

It didn’t take long for Ana Karen to learn that dreams can’t be ignored.

Ana Karen’s family immigrated to the United States from Mexico over two decades ago when she was just a child. As the oldest of seven children, she grew up quickly.

After graduating from Pasadena Memorial High School, Ana Karen started working and going to college. She soon had to give up school to help her family with bills at home. She spent four years working as a receptionist at a counseling facility before she could no longer ignore her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.

Ana Karen was accepted into San Jacinto’s Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program, but the cost was too high even with financial aid. A counselor gave her information on the Health Career Pathways Partnership Grant . She wasted no time making an appointment to complete forms, submit paperwork, and enter the grant lottery. She was excited to learn that almost all education expenses would be covered. Her family repaid her years of help by offering her support and financial assistance. The holistic care at San Jacinto and stable home life enabled her to quit her job and attend the LVN program full time.

Ana Karen gained knowledge not only from her lectures, but also from hands-on experience in a clinical setting. Her nerves about school quickly turned into comfort. The ease of the application process and lack of financial burden allowed her to truly focus on her studies. Ana Karen started the LVN program in August 2016, graduating one year later. She passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) boards in October of 2017. She now works full time at Octapharma Plasma, making $23 per hour. She is very thankful for the HPOG grant that made it all possible.

“I am truly blessed that I am able to come to school at no expense and just focus on my studies.”

This success story was self-identified by the grantee and information contained in this document was provided by the grantee.