Story by Eric Jay Toll / Photos by Tanielle Gilbert
After several starts and stops in life, including dropping out of school, Vienna Simar, a Grand Canyon University Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing student in the brand new program in Lake Mary, Florida, shared how her faith, persistence and mission led her to this moment in her life.
“For me, I struggle a lot with self-doubt,” said Simar, a Californian transplanted to Florida via Arizona who shared her story this morning at the opening celebration for the site. “When I started this program, I said that I cannot be a wife, I cannot be a mother, and I don’t think I can be a student.”
That changed with the support and connection of fellow students and staff in the program.
The Lake Mary site is one of 10 GCU ABSN sites in Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. The university plans to open about 40 sites across the country in the next few years as it scales its nursing program and addresses the nationwide nursing shortage.
Simar uses her experience as something to teach her four sons.
“I had to rewire my brain for these 16 months,” said Simar. “(I tell my boys) that if it isn’t hard, then everyone would do it. I say that the hard things are worth it.”
The intense program requires dedication, time, energy and perseverance. Interestingly, she brings her sons, ages 10, 8, 6, and 4, into her learning.
“I’m really grateful that my kids are on this journey with me,” Simar said. “They want to help. They’ll say, ‘Can I help you study, Mom?’ So, these are sweet moments with them.”
The ABSN program, a hybrid program in which students do their didactic learning online and head to the site for immersive simulations and lab experiences, is for students with previous college credit. Some are re-careering and want to earn their bachelor's degree in nursing quickly.
For Simar, it meant following her calling and getting into a stable career that also would allow her to balance her home life as a mother.
“I’m hoping to encourage people who want to be a nurse. I think the ABSN program is great for people who want to return to school or for students in my cohort or those younger than me. I also think it’s a great avenue to get into the nursing field and get that experience as I have had so far.”
What Simar loved about the program is the staff.
“They want us to succeed,” she said. “And they’re genuine when they express, ‘Hey, I’m here to help.’ When they say, ‘We’re here to be your cheerleader,’ I really feel like they’ve offered a lot of encouragement.”
Positive reinforcement applies across the learning spectrum for ABSN students. Some courses are conducted via video conferencing, some are offered online, others are in person.
Simar’s faith kept her on the right path. She assessed her life when her first son was born, trying to learn who she was.
“Suddenly, I am going to have to teach this little person,” she said. “You know, I didn’t do things.
"I think I struggled a lot. I had to drop out of school. I had an unexpected pregnancy. I wasn’t married. Was I financially stable? I felt like I hadn’t done things the right way. I think I struggled a long time thinking I really messed up, and I felt like a failure.”
Those struggles and self-doubts led Simar to realize that she needed a firm foundation for her life.
“God doesn’t waste anything,” she said. “He is a much better author of my story than I would ever be.”
She learned to trust Him because, when “…you’re in the ashes, you can’t see your way out alone.”
“All those struggles; the times of feeling low, He’s always been there,” said Simar. “I think that’s such a comfort to me now. It’s like, ‘OK, God, what are you trying to do?’ I think there’s always wisdom to glean from our mistakes and things that we didn’t do so well.”
Asked what she would share about her faith, she said, “No matter how low or feeling like, ‘How am I going to get through this?’ I know there is one person who’s going to be by my side, no matter what.”
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