Faces of MCC

Angela Parker Nursing – Associate Degree

Nursing is a second career for me. I needed a program that allowed me to work and still be present with my family. I looked at each of the nursing programs in Omaha and I felt that Metropolitan Community College was the best fit. I liked that the class size was small and it’s a very veteran-friendly school.

One of my favorite memories at MCC was attending the National Student Nurses Association Convention in Salt Lake City. All of the Nursing instructors were great, and I have kept in contact with several of them since graduating. Outside of the Nursing program, my favorite class was Anatomy and Physiology with instructor Del Stallwood. He made the class interesting and was very straightforward with what he expected of his students.

Since graduating, I have worked full-time as a registered nurse and held two PRN nursing jobs. I started my career at Methodist Hospital on the Orthopedic Neurology unit and have since also worked in their Cardiac, Forensic/Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Palliative units. I have also worked in mental health/substance abuse at the Omaha VA, preoperative and postanesthesia at Nebraska Medicine and the Sarpy County Jail.

One of my proudest moments since graduating was being accepted to the graduate nursing program at Morningside University. It’s also been wonderful to show my teenage son that you can accomplish your dreams regardless of your age.

After graduating with my Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, I went on to get my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I plan to graduate with my Master of Science Degree in Nursing and work as an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner.

My fondest memory at Metropolitan Community College is when I passed my class A CDL at the Applied Technology Center. I took the course in the dead of winter not knowing how the weather would be. I would bike 10 miles for every class or take the bus so I wouldn’t disappoint my mother, who died while I was incarcerated, as well as the people who believed in me. I am also thankful to God and the MCC 180 Re-Entry Assistance Program for the opportunity and acceptance.

One of my proudest accomplishments after graduation was using my education to help a struggling dump truck company and transform it into a stable business with potential. It’s now a significant part of the local economy in Omaha.

MCC continues to influence my career in the construction and diesel technology sector. With hands-on experience and operation of proper equipment and software, MCC gives me the opportunity to shift with the industry as it evolves.