Mega Doctor News
McALLEN, Texas – When asked about sacrifice and what it takes to succeed in the nursing program at South Texas College, Robert Garcia acknowledges that the thing he misses most is being a father.
“Nursing school can take you apart from life’s moments,” he says, “It can take you away from your kids practices or being actively involved in their lives.”
Garcia was one of 16 students to earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees this semester. At a special pinning ceremony for BSN graduates, Garcia was chosen to address the class and offered his perspective about success and even failure.
A 2009 graduate of Harlingen High School, Garcia said he was never a top student. Becoming a parent right after high school however spurred him to immediately assess his goals in life. Discovering STC and its nursing program offered him the opportunity to change for his new family, he said.
“I found my way to STC, and I immediately started taking the prerequisites for the program,” Garcia said. “I played the long game. I saw the prerequisites and decided to take them all. I knocked them all out. And then I, while I was waiting for the program to start, I started knocking out the prerequisites for the bachelor’s program to jump ahead.”
Garcia would graduate with his Vocational Nursing degree in fall 2018, and immediately started working at Valley Baptist Hospital in Harlingen. Two years later he would earn his Associate Degree Nursing in spring 2020.
“I took a semester off and went back to get my bachelor’s degree with STC,” Garcia said. “STC was always where I wanted to be. I think they really help out the students, it’s affordable. You know, realistically, I needed something that I could afford because I was paying part of the tuition.”
Garcia would remain employed by Valley Baptist and opted to work in the hospital’s oncology unit. Valuing the relationships he has forged with patients, Garcia says it’s difficult to see them struggle, but STC has taught him to try to make a difference even during the hardest time of their lives.
“I’ve always had a big heart and I’ve always wanted to help people and I have always wanted to do more,” Garcia said. “I think God gives us certain attributes in life, and as you grow you learn what you are good at and what you are meant to do. I’m really good at helping others. I think I have good charisma. I think I can make a small difference in someone’s life. And really, I wanted to help those in my community. I wanted to stay here and try to make a difference. I found nursing and I haven’t looked back.”
For more information about STC’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program please visit https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/bsn/index.html.
