(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Cathryn Sherrod wants to be a difference-maker.
The Breckenridge resident is in her final semester of the Vocational Nursing program at Texas State Technical College and has a career goal for herself.
“I want to be a director of geriatrics in a nursing home,” she said. “I know that is going to take a lot of work. I want to be a difference in older people’s lives.”
Sherrod said her passion to help others started at an early age.
“I had to help take care of my handicapped brother,” she said. “If I can touch one person, be the light for one person — like I have been for my brother, that is all that matters to me.”
While her brother cannot verbally communicate with her, Sherrod said she can tell he is proud of her accomplishments.
“He is always happy,” she said. “When I walk in, it lights up the room for him. I love to see that kind of reaction from people, no matter their age.”
Sherrod said studying at TSTC has been rewarding.
“The instructors want students to succeed,” she said. “They will have one-on-one time with you. If you put in the effort, they are going to make sure you can move forward.”
Jenny Wingate, a Vocational Nursing instructor, said Sherrod has shown determination.
“She was not going to let obstacles set her back,” Wingate said. “Helping care for her brother motivated her to enter the nursing field. It takes special people to do that.”
Sherrod said working in the TSTC labs has paid off during clinical sessions.
“It is a lot easier to work on a medical manikin before you work with patients,” she said. “I like to repeat what I am able to do so I will be comfortable working with patients.”
TSTC’s Vocational Nursing certificate of completion program is also available at the Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses. TSTC is now accepting applications for the spring 2025 semester. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, Oct. 4. To learn more about the application process, visit tstc.edu/programs/vocational-nursing.
Upon completion of the program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination, graduates are classified as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs).
According to onetonline.org, LVN jobs were forecast to increase 17% in Texas between 2020 and 2030. The median annual salary for LVNs in Texas is $57,010, the website showed.
TSTC also offers the LVN to RN Transition Nursing program at the Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses. Applications for that program for the spring semester are being accepted through Nov. 8.
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
