Mary Klinger
Warminster, PA
Excelsior College®, Associate of Science in Nursing

Mary Klinger knew for decades that she wanted to further her education, but she had to take care of other responsibilities first.  “As a single parent, I had three children to get through college before I could even think about going myself.  When the last one finished in January of 2007, I thought it was my turn,” she said.

Having not been in school for 30 years, Mary knew she would be challenged, but she knew that getting her degree was a goal she could reach. “I did have my downfalls, but I stayed the course. I worked full time and finished in less than two years,” she said.  “Now, I work as a director at an assisted living facility. I get to run my own show!”

Since her success with the program, Mary has spent a lot of time encouraging others to continue their education as well.  Through The College Network®’s EARN program, she was able to get the entire College Network portion of her program paid for simply by referring her friends and coworkers to the program. “I am still encouraging LPNs to become RNs.  I tell them that if I can do it at 56, they can do it! Since passing my boards last May, I have been working with other students to help prepare them for their boards and their clinicals. While I was going through it, I had no idea how many other students were going through the same thing,” she said.

Mary believes anyone can further their education if they have the drive and the will to succeed. “I am not a great student and really thought it would be hard to go back to school, but it really was not that bad.  I’m just a normal, everyday mom that got my education,” she said.

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