---
title: Dallas Nursing School Student Spotlight
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/dallas-nursing-school-student-spotlight/"
type: post
date_published: 2022-08-25
date_modified: 2025-12-05
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 566
reading_time: 3 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/dallas-nursing-school-student-spotlight/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/dallas-nursing-school-student-spotlight.jpg"
categories:
  - Nursing School
---

# Dallas Nursing School Student Spotlight

## I wanted a profession that allowed me to give back to the community

Claire Dorn knows firsthand that life doesn’t always go as expected. The single
mom of four kids, ages 11 to 19, never thought she would become a pediatric
nurse. She had devoted herself to homeschooling her children and was ready to
care for adults. But when she finished her clinicals at Arizona College of
Nursing she knew she loved working in pediatrics and quickly accepted a
residency at a top children’s hospital in Dallas. 

![dallas nursing school student spotlight](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/dallas-nursing-school-student-spotlight.jpg)![dallas nursing school student spotlight](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/dallas-nursing-school-student-spotlight.jpg)
Like many students, her path wasn’t a straight one. After starting college, she
left and started a family. In addition to teaching her kids full time, she also
took jobs in tax preparation and retail. She believes each of those roles,
especially homeschooling, has prepared her for her next chapter. 

In 2018 she suddenly found herself as a single mom and she knew she had to find
a way to support her family. “I didn’t just want another job”, said Claire. “I
wanted a profession that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally
and give back to the community.  I have always been interested in the medical
field and solving puzzles, so nursing seemed like a great fit.”  

 “I have gained wisdom through the years so my goals and what is important to me
are clear,” continued Claire. “I love taking care of my family, but I’ve had a
lot of support from family and friends. Pursuing nursing gives me the
opportunity to give back and take care of other families”.  

## The three-year BSN program meant she could finish school faster

Arizona College of Nursing had what she needed to reach her goals. The
three-year program meant she could finish school faster and start her career
sooner. She soon found herself among a cohort of seven that included other
mothers, fresh-faced college students and even one grandmother. The group
quickly bonded and became like family to each other, sharing their personal
lives and leaning on each other for support.   

In Claire’s program, she also encountered great teachers that were clearly
passionate about their specialties.  She also found the staff willing to help
and listen. For Claire and her cohorts, it was important Arizona College of
Nursing provided for her needs and offered a safe place to talk about more than
just school.  

Claire graduated from the Dallas Campus on August 19th. She is looking forward
to passing her NCLEX and embarking on her career. Claire believes pursuing
nursing after having family responsibilities and other jobs made her a stronger
student. 

Claire says she is not the same person as when she was younger and has a greater
appreciation of what is important. “Having life experience helped me understand
who I was and what I wanted”.

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Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as little as three years at
our Nursing School. To learn more about our
**_[BSN program](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/)_** fill
out our form to
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and speak with an admissions advisor today.

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_Information in this blog post is accurate as of August 25, 2022._

**Categories:** Nursing School