Cathy Roe-Somerville
Wallkill, NY
Excelsior College®, Associate of Science in Nursing

Cathy Roe-Somerville never expected to be a nurse. After 25 years as a real estate paralegal, she was forced to find a field that wasn’t struggling. She turned to the medical field. Starting as a CNA, working double shifts on the weekend while she went to LPN school during the week, she found a passion for nursing she couldn’t have imagined. “Once I entered the medical field, I found I truly loved it and naturally wanted to climb the ladder,” she said.

Her job working full time as an LPN in a brain trauma unit made her want to advance in responsibilities and knowledge by studying to become an RN. As a single mom of two teenagers, she knew distance learning would be the right path for her. Finding The College Network®, and her helpful program advisor, inspired her to take the plunge.

“I’ve never received wrong direction from The College Network and encourage everyone in the program to call when you have a question. The College Network works with you no matter what you need assistance with.  It’s also really nice that they congratulate me when I pass each course! The counselors are great for guidance in those moments of stress. Don’t get discouraged. The process can be confusing in the beginning, but they will always help you work it out.”

After finishing ten courses in eleven months, she couldn’t wait to tell everyone about the program. She began participating in the EARN program and currently has referred 23 customers, meaning that The College Network portion of her associate degree program and her upcoming bachelor’s degree program will both be paid for. “Everyone wants to advance in their career, and when I’d talk about how quickly I was moving along, the options become very real,” Cathy said.

Cathy hopes to continue on to earn her master’s degree. “It’s refreshing to actually feel a hunger to learn more and more,” she said.

> Read more to Associate Degree in Nursing success stories