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Graduate Interview: Zierrah Kelson

Stethoscope On Book

If you’re considering a career in nursing, choosing the right program can have a big impact on your overall experience. At Prism Career Institute, we’re dedicated to providing our students with the tools they need for a successful nursing career. Former student, Zierrah Kelson, details her own experience in our program.

Zierrah Kelson’s Journey with Prism Career Institute

Kelson discovered Prism Career Institute when she was working full-time as a CNA and a mother of three. Before applying, Kelson had been working as a CNA for about eight years. Having worked in the healthcare field since the age of 14, she had always known she wanted more out of her nursing career. “As a little girl, I always said I wanted to be a nurse,” Kelson stated when asked why she wanted a career change. “This was my dream!”

With such a busy schedule, Kelson began searching for a program that worked best with her lifestyle as a working mother. In her research, Kelson found that Prism Career Institute had a campus located close to where she resided in the Delaware area, making it easy for her to attend her classes while still maintaining life at home.

Prism Career Institute also offered night classes, which was appealing to Kelson’s busy schedule at the time. Although she eventually started taking classes during the day to finish her degree, she was attracted to the flexible scheduling that Prism Career Institute provided. With a quick and easy application process, Kelson was soon accepted to Prism Career Institute and started on her journey toward completing her education.

Finding Success

During her time at Prism Career Institute, Kelson learned a variety of things that prepared her for a career in nursing. “I believe that each class I had prepared me for my career. I reflect on things I’ve learned almost daily,” Kelson stated. “This is especially true when I notice a medicine that I studied or didn’t quite understand when learning about it in school.”

Prism Career Institute also provided Kelson with the tools she needed to pass her NCLEX exam. While the information she learned throughout all five terms aided her greatly in passing the NCLEX, she recalls that her last term was especially helpful in preparing for the exam. “I feel that the last term was designed specifically to focus on preparing for the NCLEX.” She stated. “Our instructors drilled in us certain topics vital to the exam.”

Kelson’s clinical instructors were also a huge line of support for her, especially having experienced nursing school during the COVID-19 pandemic. “My clinical instructors were very supportive. Anytime we needed anything, they would be right there,” she says. To this day, Kelson still reaches out to Ms. Marlene, a career services representative at the Prism Career Institute, for advice on job searching, resume building, and professionalism.

Choose Prism Career Institute

When asked what advice she would give to future students who are thinking about applying to Prism Career Institute, Kelson responded with “Don’t underestimate yourself! Utilize all your resources in school. Study, focus, and study some more — you can do it.”

At Prism Career Institute, we are ready to help you succeed in whatever path you choose. We offer several programs at our locations in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City Township, New Jersey as well as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, allowing you to select a location that works best for you. If you’re ready to start your career in nursing, apply online today or contact us for more information.