Mega Doctor News
By Veronica Salinas
For Mia Zamorano, the decision to pursue a career in nursing was clear from a young age. Inspired by her mother, a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Zamorano knew early on that she wanted to follow a similar path.
“My mom is a nurse, so I definitely think that had something to do with it,” said Zamorano. “I used to go to work with her and was pre-exposed to nursing, so throughout high school I knew this was the career I wanted.”
Now, as she prepares to graduate from STC’s Vocational Nursing program this summer, Zamorano reflects on the experience and the people who helped her along the way.
“The instructors were one of my favorite parts of the program,” she said. “They truly go above and beyond to make sure you understand the material and feel confident in your skills. You can tell they genuinely care about our success—not just in the classroom, but in our future careers as nurses.”
Zamorano credits faculty members Georgina Garza and Geronimo Gracia at the Mid-Valley campus for pushing her to be her best.
“Mrs. Garza and Mr. Garcia have truly made a lasting impact on my learning experience,” she said. “They don’t just teach the material; they challenge us to think deeper and apply our knowledge in real-world scenarios. Their high expectations pushed me to study harder and stay focused, and that’s what helped me grow the most.”
While the journey hasn’t always been easy, she said the challenges taught her valuable lessons.
“The hardest part was balancing life and school,” Zamorano shared. “I had to put a pause on hobbies and extra activities to focus on the program, but in the end, it was about looking at the bigger picture.”
Her motivation? Staying focused on the end goal—a successful career in nursing and the pride that comes with achieving something she’s worked so hard for.
“On the days I don’t feel like studying, I remind myself what’s at stake,” she said. “If I don’t put in the effort now, I risk falling behind and that’s not an option. I hold myself to a high standard because I know what I’m capable of. Finishing this program isn’t just about earning a certificate, it’s about proving to myself that I can overcome challenges and achieve something truly meaningful.”
Zamorano plans to continue her education at STC by pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), with aspirations to ultimately earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
She also encourages incoming students to be kind to themselves throughout the process, reminding them that nursing school is a demanding journey that requires patience, resilience and self-compassion.
“Nursing school is tough. There will be long nights and difficult exams,” she said. “But you’re learning to care for people during their most vulnerable moments and that takes both heart and knowledge. Lean on your support system and celebrate the small wins.”
Zamorano says one of her best strategies for success has been forming a study group.
“I truly owe a lot of my success to my study group,” she said. “We’ve supported each other through all the levels and having that team to lean on made a big difference. We push each other to stay on track, hold each other accountable and share our strengths. It’s been one of the most valuable parts of my experience in the program.”
As she prepares for graduation, Zamorano says the program helped her discover her own strength.
“This program has really pushed me to test my limits,” she said. “Before starting, I didn’t fully realize what I was capable of, but through every challenge, I’ve learned that with determination and the right mindset, you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible.”
For more information on the Vocational Nursing program, visit: https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/vocational-nursing/.
Information source: STC
