STUDENT LIFE
Adrienne Ferguson Finds a Home at Baylor Adrienne Ferguson loves Baylor, a passion she shares with countless other Baylor alumni and longtime Baylor families. However, Adrienne hails from Colorado, and no one in her family had ever gone to Baylor. “I just found a home at Baylor,” she says. Adrienne graduated from Baylor in 2005 with a degree in psychology and Spanish, worked as a social worker for Child Protective Services for six years and then worked for a private adoption agency before deciding to become a nurse. “Social work was emotionally draining in ways that nursing is not. So many times as a social worker for CPS, people did not want me in their home or my help. Plus, sometimes there weren’t enough resources to actually help people. In nursing, medicine is the vehicle to help people,” says Adrienne. Adrienne decided to become an RN and enrolled in LHSON’s FastBacc program, an accelerated Baylor-themed cake balls are Adrienne’s favorites to make.
12-month program to earn a bachelor of science in nursing. “For one year, I can do anything,” she thought. She is confident in her career change decision. “Nursing offers limitless opportunities and so many ways and places to practice.” Adrienne appreciates how carefully the FastBacc program has been built. Nothing is by accident. “The faculty have put so much effort into the program. They are purposeful and mindful of everything building upon past lessons. I never think I’ll be ready for the next thing, but I always am because the faculty pay such close attention to how students are progressing,” Adrienne says. The FastBacc program requires intensive studying. When she feels the need, Adrienne bakes. She started her business, Cake Ball Bakery, three years ago. Her cake balls are hand rolled and hand dipped, and she particularly enjoys making Baylor-themed cake balls. She says, “Baking is a great way to relieve the stress of studying.”
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Chiropractor Makes FastBacc Adjustment During his days as a practicing chiropractor, Cody Zepeda saw people with chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension. He could make some suggestions to help them, but he knew he needed more training to really make a difference. Cody considered becoming a nurse. He shadowed a nurse practitioner and talked to several of his patients who are nurses. He and his wife discussed it, and in May 2012, Cody began to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through LHSON’s 20
FastBacc program. When Cody finishes in May 2013, he will be a registered nurse. He chose LHSON because of the FastBacc 12-month accelerated program and the school’s reputation. “I researched nursing schools, and Baylor was among the top five in Texas,” Cody said. He was also attracted to the school’s Christian values. As a nurse practitioner, Cody will be able to help his patients and make recommendations for healthy living. He says there is a big difference
between being a chiropractor and being a nurse. As a chiropractor, he worked alone with his patients, focusing on a specific ailment. As a nurse, he serves as an integral part of a medical team responsible for the overall welfare of the patient. “It took me a while to figure out how to work in that new environment,” said Cody. He’s looking forward to his new career as a nurse, and he will start just in time. Cody and his wife are expecting a baby in June 2013, shortly after Cody’s graduation in May. Winter 2013