Luray resident Jaleesa Frye is steadily building the nursing career of her dreams, one stackable credential at a time.
After graduating from Luray High School in 2007, Frye attended Ferrum College for a couple of years, majoring in social work and minoring in sociology, but left prior to graduation. She then spent a dozen years working as a nurse aide.
鈥淢y goal is to eventually apply to the Registered Nursing Program at Laurel Ridge,鈥� she said.
That led to her enrolling in Laurel Ridge鈥檚 Medical Assistant Program in 2022.
鈥淏ecause of my experience of being a nursing assistant, I decided to take the medical assistant class first, and then shortly after started the LPN program at Laurel Ridge,鈥� said Frye. 鈥淚 wanted to take the medical assistant class because it would give me experience. [Instructor] Ms. Janet Mayes taught us how to draw blood, we went over medical terminology and received a foundational education for the LPN program. I鈥檓 glad that I did it because it was really helpful.鈥�
In 2023, Frye graduated with her practical nursing certificate. She said the Practical Nursing Program was 鈥済reat.鈥�
鈥淚 think my favorite class was med-surg,鈥� Frye said. 鈥淢y favorite professor was (then-Health Professions Director) Kristina Simpson. She has an extensive background in nursing. She has some really cool stories and made everything relatable because she had been a nurse before coming to the college.鈥�
Frye has been working at Skyview Springs Rehab and Nursing Center in Luray for about a year after spending a year-and-a-half doing psychiatric nursing in Winchester. And, she is continuing to take classes at Laurel Ridge in preparation for applying to the college鈥檚 practical-nursing-to-registered-nursing bridge program.
鈥淚鈥檝e been in the medical field for a long time now,鈥� said Frye. 鈥淟ife happens some times and you just wait longer than expected, but I鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to be a nurse. I have really enjoyed my time at Laurel Ridge. Ms. Janet Mayes was a really good teacher. She has so much experience. It鈥檚 been a good experience. I鈥檓 36, and it鈥檚 never too late to get your education.鈥�