Six years ago, my daughter, Corrie Petersen found herself in a dead-end job, and she knew it was time for a change. The positions she had tried to move up to, the positions she trained others for…were refused her because they wanted a college degree…even though she knew the job inside out, upside down, and backwards. So, she decided to get a college degree, but not to take the positions they had. She wanted more, and after being on a family caregiving team, for years, she chose nursing. It was the perfect decision. She left her “dead-end job” and took what is today an unconventional journey toward nursing, becoming first a CNA and working while she studied for her nursing degree. We, her family are beyond proud of her determination.
Today, is a day to celebrate, and I must admit, I am going to brag on my girl a little bit. Corrie has fought long and hard for this degree. It has not been easy. I am stunned by 
just how much a nurse must know to actually be a nurse. I have almost felt like she needed to know as much as a doctor, even though she wasn’t going for that degree. I suppose thought that a nurse must be the eyes and ears of the doctor when it comes to the patients in her care. Corrie put her faith in God, and prayed over every test, every assignment, and her clinicals, and it has all paid off. Corrie has studied, tested, and proven herself worthy of the degree that she is receiving today. She is the proud recipient of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) from Nightingale College, and we are so very proud of her.
In November of 2022, Corrie was contacted by the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. With her outstanding grades, she qualified to join, so she applied and was accepted into the honor society. It was a great honor for her, and we are so proud of her, but that was not the end of the honors that Corrie received. As of her graduation, I am so proud to announce that Corrie has graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors. For those who don’t know, that 
is the highest honors possible. Her cumulative GPA was 3.96!! I was totally floored and so proud that I cried tears of joy for her. Corrie has worked so hard for all she has achieved. She pushes herself toward her goals every day, and she just never quits. Now she is a Summa Cum Laude graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, and she will be an great asset to Banner Health, she currently works as a CNA…but not for much longer. Congratulations on the move to Nursing, Corrie. We are beyond proud of all you have accomplished.
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