THREE SISTERS EARN AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN NURSING AT ROBESON COMMUNITY COLLEGE 吀栀e unexpected has turned into a reali- DOLLY RICE prepared for when you graduate. 吀栀ey ty for three sisters in Robeson County. “吀栀is was something that we always teach you how to be more con昀椀dent.” wanted to do, but becoming a young “I didn’t receive a lot of 昀椀nancial help, it Dolly, 35, Loretta, 32, and Latasha mother, I had to put my career to the was so hard on me, but I did this myself Rice, 29, will become o昀케cial graduates side and I had to wait for my children to and for my children, Joshua and Mali- of Robeson Community College on get older,” Dolly said. yah.” May 8, earning an associate of applied science in nursing and all the rights Dolly says she and her sisters grew up 吀栀e 昀椀nancial assistance she did receive thereof. watching her mother serve as a caregiv- came from the Lumbee Tribe Vocation- er. al Rehabilitation and LRDA. 吀栀e sisters say it’s been the journey of a lifetime, but it took a lot of hard work, “She was a Certi昀椀ed Nursing Assistant “I am so thankful that they helped me dedication, and perseverance. and she worked in hospice care,” Dolly with gas vouchers and paying tuition,” said. “It takes a special kind of person to Dolly stated. “吀栀at was a blessing.” “We applied to the program at di昀昀erent take care of people with illnesses.” times, and got denied,” stated Loretta. Dolly wants to go into Med Surge to “But I didn’t give up.” Dolly followed in her mother’s footsteps gain more experience before going into by becoming a CNA, a job she held for the Emergency Department and then Loretta says that they all applied togeth- 12 years. She worked at various plac- possibly into Hospice. er, and as fate would have it, they all got es including Home Health, Dignity, accepted. Scotland Memorial, MedAssist, and “I have a passion for Hospice,” Dolly Hospice. said. “It felt like it was meant to be for all three of us to do this together,” Loretta “I wanted to become a nurse, but with Dolly has several interviews planned said. two children, this was not an easy thing and hopes to work at Scotland Health to do,” Dolly said. “Helping others has or UNC Health Southeastern. “We didn’t expect to be together,” Dolly always been something that I enjoyed.” added. “You don’t think you can do it, but here As she started into the program, she I am, I did it, I’m at the 昀椀nish line,” Dol- “Both Loretta and Dolly called me and quickly realized it wasn’t going to be ly said. “It was all so very challenging said ‘We got in,’” Latasha said. “I didn’t easy. in my mind… it goes to show, you are think all three of us would be accept- never too old.” ed…but I checked my application on “Robeson Community College is very my phone, and it said I had been ac- strict, but they have to set boundaries,” “吀栀is experience has de昀椀nitely brought cepted too, I couldn’t believe it.” stated Dolly. “It was very hard, I had to us closer to God, and closer to each oth- push myself… but the RCC instructors er,” Dolly said. “If God be for you, who “It was just God’s timing.” have set it up so that you are better can possibly be against you?” 2