Mothers are often a crucial part of a nursing student’s support network. They serve as cheerleaders and coaches throughout the process. But mother-daughter duo Marcia C. and Emilee C. took it one step further: going to nursing school together. They pursued their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees and graduated in 2024.
Healthcare Roots
Marcia grew up surrounded by healthcare professionals. Her father was a doctor, and her stepmother was a nurse. It seemed inevitable that she would follow in their footsteps. However, her life took an alternate route when she welcomed her first child, Emilee, at only 19 years of age.
Marcia’s healthcare career was put on hold while she prioritized her family. It wasn’t until Emilee was a little older that Marcia pursued a career as an ultrasound technician. While it wasn’t her initial dream of becoming a nurse, it allowed her to remain within the healthcare field. After having two more children, Marcia became a stay-at-home mom. Nursing began to seem an increasingly distant opportunity. That is, until her daughter Emilee began her college education.
Rediscovering Nursing
While in school, Emilee encouraged Marcia to join her in a phlebotomy class. It turned out to be the spark Marcia needed to reignite her passion for nursing. She described getting a strong sense of fulfillment from the class.
“As I studied and researched human anatomy, I realized my deep love for this field. I wanted to pursue what I’ve always aspired to do,” Marcia said.
Emilee, too, found clarity through the experience. “After finishing the class, I realized that nursing was my calling. Nursing allowed me to genuinely express myself through compassion, hands-on care, and taking care of others,” she said.
Following the class, Emilee encouraged her mother to pursue nursing alongside her, knowing it had always been Marcia’s dream. Marcia quickly caught up with the necessary coursework, and their shared journey at West Coast University began.
A Mom-Believable Learning Experience!
Attending nursing school together presented a learning curve for both Marcia and Emilee. Being mother and daughter — and now classmates — had its challenges and rewards.
“We’re so similar that we had to learn how to work together,” explained Marcia.
Emilee, who jokingly calls her mom, “the brain,” faced struggles as she adjusted to the demands of student life, but she eventually found her rhythm. “Nursing school was a major adjustment for me,” she said. “I had to learn discipline and accountability and discover my optimal learning approach.”
As they progressed through the curriculum together, they found their groove and regular mother-daughter study sessions became cherished moments of quality time. From the start, Marcia and Emilee pledged to support each other — a commitment that sustained them through tough times.
“Nursing school is hard. People don’t realize the resilience and strength it demands to persevere. Having a support system — someone who truly understands — is important,” said Emilee.
When thinking back on her decision to pursue nursing, Marcia says her primary motivation was her children, including Emilee. Returning to school at 43, she was determined to demonstrate that there is always time to pursue one’s dreams.
“Success requires hard work and dedication,” she said. “If I can do it, so can you. I wanted to be their role model.”
The experience of nursing school deepened the bond between Emilee and Marcia.
“It’s not that it brought us closer because we were already close,” Marcia said. “But it forged a different kind of connection — enduring something so challenging and overcoming it together. We witnessed each other’s triumphs and struggles.”
Marcia confessed that experiencing this journey with her daughter was emotionally taxing. “As a mom, it was tough,” she said. “I was doing this for myself, but as a parent, you always take pride in your children’s accomplishments. I wasn’t going to leave her behind. We were in this together.”
What’s Next?
Today, Emilee, driven by a passion for acute/critical care, is a surgical nurse in the Intermediate Critical Unit (IMCU) at a local hospital. She aspires to become a flight nurse and attain her Family Nurse Practitioner certification. Meanwhile, Marcia currently works as in a local emergency department and shares Emilee’s ambition of earning her Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) certification.
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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