Tulsa Tech Provides a Stepping Stone to College
By KARA GAE NEAL
Superintendent
HEADED TO VANDERBILT: Sara Myers, a graduate of Broken Arrow High School and NSU, plans to attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville and become a nurse practitioner after being prepared for a career in nursing at Tulsa Tech.
Courtesy Tulsa Tech
Many high school students and parents believe that a student must either choose to attend classes at a career tech school or attend classes that will help prepare them for college. However, like so many other successful Tulsa Tech students, when Sarah Myers begins graduate school at Vanderbilt University this fall, she’ll demonstrate once again that this belief is just not true.
“I certainly never viewed my choice to attend Tulsa Tech that way,” Sarah explained. “I viewed it as a stepping stone to help me get where I wanted to be. I was able to work as a (Certified Nurse Assistant) at a local hospital and gain valuable experience, all while I was still in high school.”
This Broken Arrow High School graduate enrolled in Tulsa Tech’s Health Science class during her junior year, followed by the Nursing Options class during her senior year, then completed the (Licensed Practical Nurse) bridge program after high school. Sarah then attended Tulsa Community College and Northeastern State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Long before she began high school however, Sarah already knew that she wanted to work as a health care provider.
“My grandfather was a physician,” Sarah said. “And as a child I was intrigued by how the body worked. It just always amazed me.”
Sarah credits the Nursing Options class during her senior year, and one of the guest speakers, for helping her to decide on her current career goal.
“One day we had a guest speaker who happened to be an NP (Nurse Practitioner),” Sarah explained. “And after listening to the presentation, I decided that I’d really like to continue my education in nursing and become a Nurse Practitioner.”
A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education (generally a master’s degree or doctoral degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common, as well as complex medical conditions. Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of health care services which may differ due to individual state regulations.
“I’m very excited about being accepted into one of the nation’s finest nursing programs at Vanderbilt University.” Sarah said. “I’d really like to thank two of my instructors at Tulsa Tech, Ms. Kliewer and Ms. Genoff, for teaching me how marvelous nursing can be. Both of these great instructors gave me a life-long love of the nursing profession.”
We are extremely proud of Sarah Myers, and all of her accomplishments here at Tulsa Tech and beyond. Sarah’s story is another great example of how Tech can prepare you for a rewarding career, a great college or university, or all of the above. Everyone has to start somewhere, and we are pleased that Sarah decided to start here at Tulsa Tech.
Whether you’re currently looking for quality business and industry training, exciting classes for high school students, or just a stepping-stone to achieve your individual career goal, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call 828-5200, or visit us online at www.tulsatech.edu.
Updated 09-15-2009
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