Mega Doctor News
By Selene Rodriguez
Motivated by the arrival of her son, South Texas College student April Pizaña found the courage to return to school and pursue a new path in Nursing.
After years away from college and a successful career in the restaurant industry, she’s turning motherhood into her greatest source of inspiration and proving that with determination and support, it’s never too late to start again.
“I want to set a good example for my son and show him the power of knowledge because once you learn something and earn a degree, no one can ever take it away from you,” she said. “I used to think I had lost my chance, but I realized everything falls into place when it’s meant to. You just have to keep going.”
A McAllen native, Pizaña, 33, explored several interests at STC, including Sociology, after graduating with honors from James Nikki Rowe High School in 2010. However, financial and emotional hardships led her to leave college early.
“I stopped going to school because I needed to bring in a paycheck. I just didn’t have the right support at the time,” Pizaña said. “I started working in the restaurant industry and even owned my own business, but eventually I realized that path no longer fulfilled me. I wanted to do something that felt more purposeful and rewarding.”
While living in San Antonio, she met the love of her life, a nurse who comes from a family dedicated to the profession. His encouragement inspired her to pursue her own goals, return to the Rio Grande Valley to be closer to her family and welcome her first child, while her partner continues his studies in New York.
“It felt like everything just fell into place, like the strength theory, where you find your person and your purpose at the right time,” she said. “Even when you feel lost, life has a way of aligning things for you.”
Pizaña began taking her prerequisites for STC’s Vocational Nursing program while pregnant with her son, who was born in December 2023. After a short break to focus on raising him, she returned this semester to continue her studies.
“My parents always wanted me to go back to school, but I doubted myself, or maybe I was just comfortable where I was,” she said. “Everything changed when I met my partner. His family are all nurses. His mom is a director of nursing and her story really inspires me. She grew up in poverty in the Philippines, with only one uniform she washed every day to attend school. She even had to leave her children behind to work and provide for them before bringing them to the U.S. She’s such a generous person who loves helping others and I really admire that.”
Pizaña now aspires to transition into STC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program after earning her Vocational Nursing certificate next year, and eventually continue at STC to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Her ultimate goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
“After everything I’ve been through, I wanted a career where I could help people,” she said. “Nurses are the ones who notice the little things, who comfort you and make sure you’re okay. I love that nursing requires both compassion and critical thinking, and that the decisions you make can have a huge impact on someone’s life. That’s what draws me to nursing – the idea of being there in the moments that truly matter.”
Dedicated to helping others with compassion, Pizaña envisions her future in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Emergency Room (ER), while also pursuing leadership opportunities in nursing management.
“The skills I bring from the restaurant industry, such a sense of urgency and the ability to work under pressure are exactly what’s needed in the ER,” she said. “A couple of months in, I’m really enjoying my experience at STC. We started clinicals right away, which helps us build real skills from the start. The instructors are wonderful, they take their time to answer our questions and make us feel seen and heard. It feels like a family. I’m so grateful for STC, not only for the resources and support, but for offering such a high-quality education at an affordable price.”
As she looks ahead to her future in nursing, she hopes her story encourages others to believe in their own second chances.
“This is just a short-term sacrifice for a long-term reward,” she said. “My son might not remember these early years, but one day he’ll see what all the hard work was for. My advice to anyone thinking about going back to school is: just do it. The only thing stopping you is yourself, because the support and resources are out there.”
For more information on STC’s Vocational Nursing program, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/vocational-nursing/ or call 956-872-3011.
Information source: STC
