But after a stint in the U.S. Army, Thomas thought it might be time for a change. She attended a nursing school but wasn’t happy with the experience, sparking a search for a new start. She called around and found Prism Career Institute in Philadelphia matched her needs.
A graduate of the Prism Practical Nursing Program, Thomas is an LPN, employed as a Flu and Wellness Nurse at Maxim Healthcare and a Home Health Nurse for two local companies (Progressive Home Health and Preferred Home Health).
For Thomas, adding school into an already busy schedule provided a challenge.
“In the beginning I had two jobs – one full-time, four days a week, 10 hours a day; and one part-time which was about 15 hours a week,” she said.
She eventually quit the second job and then was faced with an additional challenge when she was laid off from her full time job at the beginning of her fourth term of school.
“It was tough because I still had bills to pay but thankfully my boyfriend took care of my bills and told me to focus on school and not to look for another job,” Thomas added.
She points to the clinical aspect of her educational experience as best preparing her for her current job and cites instructor Soumya Karuthedom as a great influence.
“When I was struggling a bit, she broke things down in a way that everyone remembered and I when I was taking the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) and reading the questions, I could hear her voice in my head over and over,” she said.
After graduating from high school, Thomas worked as a cashier at a national pharmacy chain and was moved to the pharmacy where she worked for four years.
“I still have a passion for medication but I also enjoy helping people,” Thomas said. “I love working with children and learning about medication and the effect it has on the body.”
Not everything was easy for Thomas while attending Prism as she suffered a miscarriage toward the end of her educational journey.
“It was very hard to continue the term especially because the following week was midterms,” she said.
But Thomas did continue and completed the program on time. She said she is driven to succeed by a number of factors.
“What drives me to succeed is the fact that I am a minority and I am the oldest in my family with four younger siblings and I want to show them that success is up to you,” she said. “My definition of success is having a job that leaves me satisfied at the end of the day as if I have made a difference even if it is something small.”
Thomas said the time she spent at Prism Career Institute was well worth it for the end result and offers this advice for anyone considering a return to school.
“Prism is a great school, but it is very demanding so you have to have the will power to get up every morning as well as a strong support system,” she said. “Like any school experience, Prism is what you make it and if you do everything you are supposed to there won’t be any problems. If you do not understand something or need help never be afraid to ask.”