“Belmont College gave me more than an education – my experience there gave me a foundation for success.” —Jozelle Bostic
Growing up in Barnesville, Ohio, I always knew I wanted a career where I could make a difference in the lives of others. My journey toward becoming a nurse began earlier than most when I enrolled in Belmont College courses through the College Credit Plus program during my freshman year of high school. At the time, I didn’t fully realize how much that decision would shape my future, but it quickly helped me grow in confidence, maturity, and independence. Taking college courses at such a young age pushed me outside of my comfort zone and gave me the opportunity to graduate high school a year early before continuing directly into Belmont’s Registered Nursing program.
Both of my parents attended Belmont College when they were younger, and they always encouraged me to take advantage of opportunities that would help me get a head start on my future. My mom, who is also a nurse, has been one of my biggest inspirations. Growing up, I witnessed the compassion and dedication both of my parents brought to their careers every day. Seeing my mother’s passion for nursing ultimately led me to pursue the same path.
My time at Belmont has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. The nursing program pushed me to grow not only academically, but personally as well. During nursing school, I completed an externship where I had the opportunity to work closely with infants and their families. Being part of such meaningful and emotional moments reminded me exactly why I chose nursing in the first place. That experience strengthened both my skills and confidence, and it also led to a position in the NICU at Wheeling Hospital immediately after graduation. At just 19 years old, I am proud to begin my career doing something I truly love.
Balancing the demands of nursing school was not always easy. There were moments when everything felt overwhelming, but those experiences taught me discipline, time management, and the importance of leaning on the support system around me. Looking back, those challenges helped shape me into a stronger and more confident person. Belmont College gave me more than an education – my experience there gave me a foundation for success. I developed the clinical skills, critical thinking abilities, and confidence needed to care for patients and their families in a meaningful way.
I am especially grateful for the instructors who supported me throughout this journey. Their encouragement, guidance, and dedication made a lasting impact on me, and they genuinely cared about helping me succeed. Because of them and the experiences I gained at Belmont, I feel prepared and confident as I begin my career as a Registered Nurse.
This fall, I plan to continue my education at Ohio University as I work toward my long-term goals of becoming a nurse practitioner and nurse educator.
If I could give one piece of advice to current or future students, it would be to stay focused, trust yourself, and always remember why you started. Nursing school is challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Never lose sight of the passion that brought you here.