What would you do to achieve your lifelong dream? Samantha Hensley faced setbacks but never gave up on her passion for nursing. Her inspiring journey, supported by an Upward Mobility Scholarship, proves that dedication truly pays off. Read how she navigated challenges to finally enter nursing school.
Samantha Hensley, a Salisbury resident, is one significant step closer to fulfilling a lifelong ambition. Her childhood dream of becoming a nurse is now within reach, thanks to a prestigious Upward Mobility Scholarship, a recognition of her dedication and perseverance in the healthcare field.
The Upward Mobility RN Educational Assistance Fund, generously supported by Novant Health, plays a crucial role in empowering its team members. Designed to foster internal career advancement and enhance the financial stability of individuals, particularly those in underserved community areas, this fund is entirely sustained through the Novant Health Foundation, philanthropic efforts, grants, and employee contributions.
Initially, Samantha was unsure if she qualified for the scholarship as a PRN employee. However, with reassurance from her manager regarding her eligibility and the unwavering encouragement from her mother, she embarked on the application process. Her heartfelt desire was to articulate her profound motivation for nursing and how this scholarship would serve as a transformative opportunity.
Her aspirations to enter the nursing profession ignited at a tender age, around five or six, when she would playfully administer temperature checks with a toy doctor’s kit. A childhood marked by significant health challenges, including malnourishment and a lazy eye, deeply influenced her empathy and resolve. This personal experience solidified her early passion for caring for others, especially infants, leading her to focus her senior project on neonatology.
After high school, Samantha pursued a CNA program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, earning her certification in 2018. She gained valuable experience at a nursing home before transitioning to a beloved pediatric home health agency position. Despite her initial plan for a four-year university nursing degree, life presented unexpected turns, leading her to prioritize raising two healthy children.
From 2019 to 2024, Samantha dedicated herself to being a stay-at-home mother, a period during which her nursing aspirations were momentarily sidelined. Challenges such as her parents’ inability to provide childcare and the subsequent lapse of her certification created feelings of frustration and setback, making her goal seem increasingly distant.
Undeterred, her mother’s continuous encouragement reignited Samantha’s drive to return to her studies. She made the pivotal decision to re-enroll in classes to regain her CNA certification, a journey made challenging by balancing online part-time education with the demands of raising two young children. Her acceptance into nursing school was a moment of profound joy and a testament to her unwavering spirit.
In 2024, a job offer at Novant’s cardiac telemetry floor during a job fair marked another significant milestone. She eagerly accepted, seizing every opportunity to learn and hone her nursing skills from experienced professionals. Samantha views this as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to demonstrate the rewards of hard work and express gratitude for her supportive network.
Reflecting on her arduous yet fulfilling path, Samantha, at 26, is a firm believer that every trial serves a purpose, ultimately making her a stronger nurse and individual. Her parents, Sarah and Michael Hensley, express immense pride in her accomplishments, praising her positive attitude and strong work ethic, and reaffirming their unwavering support for her continued success.
