“It’s definitely been difficult. I’m a single mom and I have no family around to help. I have two children, 13 and 8, and the youngest is autistic. For me, the biggest challenge was trying to stay on a schedule; however, I was determined to finish nursing school. My boys really stepped up and made it a priority to help out. My older son would cook and help with my younger son when he would have meltdowns. Having to do schoolwork and homeschool my children was hard. I was also working as an intern at the VA. Typically upon completion of our internship, we’d be hired, but because of COVID, the government and other hospitals are on a hiring freeze. I’ve been in school for 3 1/2 years straight, so after graduating in May, I’ve been taking a few weeks to enjoy my kids. We have some breathing room to work on projects together and even lounge around all day. That’s something we haven’t been able to do before… I still volunteer with SFCC doing temperature checks on Fridays {with the World Central Kitchen meal distribution project}. I know a lot of people don’t necessarily want to go out during this time. But I’m a nurse and this is what I want—to be working in the community.”~ Sarah Ruiz, Nursing Program graduate, Class of 2020
