Davis is studying to become a registered nurse at Georgia State University School of Nursing’s associate degree program at Perimeter College.
She is excited about leading GANS, with its more than 2,000 student nurse members. The organization’s goal is to prepare leaders in the nursing profession and to have direct input into standards of nursing education. Davis already has some leadership experience: She’s also president of SNAPC, the Student Nurse Association at Perimeter College.
Davis tried college earlier in her life.
“I was a business major but never finished college,” she said. “I always wanted to finish my degree.”
She kept busy in other ways. She managed a doctor’s office and volunteered as a team baseball coach and in her children’s school. But it was while her husband was in the hospital getting a pacemaker replaced that she “had an epiphany,” she said.
“Over the years, everyone always asked if I was a nurse,” she said. “I suddenly knew then I wanted to train to become a nurse.”
She admits she was a “little afraid” of the course work.
“I was already taking some classes at Perimeter on the Dunwoody Campus and online,”
she said. “But I was afraid of math and science. I told myself that’s just stupid to be afraid. I realized that fear was what had held me back from pursuing my degree.”
After conducting some research, she applied for the Perimeter nursing program.
Now she is juggling clinicals, classes and her new responsibilities as GANS president.
“I learned so much,” she said, “and I have been able to be a role model for others for certain things I already have experience with. It’s been a positive experience being involved in GANS.”
And that fear of science and math? It’s over.
“I’m never going to let fear hold me back from anything again,” Davis said. “If I need help, I’ll get it. I tell others, if I can do it, other people can do it. And now that all my children are out of the house, it’s my time. I’m enjoying the journey.”
Davis is set to graduate with her associate degree in May 2017. Afterward, she plans to pursue a bachelor of science degree in nursing.