Kendra Softly is confident that when she begins her nursing residency, she will be ready to serve the veteran population of north Texas.

Congratulations, graduates!

Chestina Booker Sharon Bradshaw Kathie Carmer Ashley Castor Diana Castrejon Manuel Castro Karlie Crambes Tiffany Crow Kaelan Curry Quoneitha Finchum Hailee Frederick Michelle Gorden Kourtnee Grimes Asha Hall Jane Hartman Huda Hassan Kayla Hidalgo

Elisabeth Kennard Erica Landers Emmy Le Veronica Moreno Grace Morgan Nolan Nguyen Callen Omurwa Romina Pekas Melissa Pester Dung Pham Lisa Randall Joseph Sanders Kendra Softly Brittany Straughter Jennifer Tran Sondra WIlliams Natashia Zachary

But first, she wanted to celebrate graduating with her 33 West Coast University classmates and their families at the Dallas cohort’s BSN pinning ceremony at the Irving Convention Center on July 8, 2016.

“Finding balance between being a full-time student and full-time mom was certainly a challenge,” Softly said, standing next to her 7-year-old son Mason. “It was a great sacrifice but now I’m ready to live it up with my son and my family, and be able to support them in whatever their dreams are as well.”

After the ceremony, Softly spoke with WCU-Dallas clinical education manager Xaquita Wicks and fellow BSN graduate Sharon Bradshaw. Bradshaw, who had led the WCU-Dallas cohort’s entrance into the room, was already working as an OR nurse for The Medical Center of Plano before graduating from WCU.

“It was very hard, very challenging, but overall a great time,” Bradshaw said.

A medic in the U.S. Army for nine years, Softly starts her post-baccalaureate RN residency program at the VA North Texas Health Care System in August.

“Completing this program gave me the tools I needed to help those in my community,” she said. “WCU offered much more than an education, it offered diversity and a staff that was genuinely concerned about my well-being.”

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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.