As single mom, Lisa Aloy, knew she wanted to pursue a career to care for herself and family.
Once her children reached an age where she could attend college, she stepped into scrubs and began her nursing path.
Aloy, the new addition to the Pierce College Nursing Department, thinks that nursing is a worthwhile, noble career because it gives her the ability to care for herself, her family and her community.
“It was tough, especially one as rigorous as this program. It was really difficult on top of when you’re a single mom,” Aloy said. “The journey was long and difficult, but certainly worthwhile.”
Aloy said nursing was a good fit for her because of flexibility and her fondness of taking care of people. Being able to care for people at their best and their worst gives Aloy a sense of purpose and happiness, she said.
Aloy started applying for the Pierce nursing program in 2004, when she was looking for a second career. She enrolled in 2005, after her kids entered elementary school.
Christi Hamilton, a nursing instructor at Pierce, said that Aloy was an excellent student.
“We are happy to have her working in the Pierce College Nursing Program and a part of the faculty,” Hamilton said.
Aloy is part of a doctoral program and said that since she graduated, she hasn’t stopped taking classes to further her education.
She graduated in 2007 with an associate’s degree in nursing, passed the board exam, and became a registered nurse. In 2012, she got her bachelor’s degree, and in 2014, her master’s degree.
“I love teaching students,” Aloy said. “It’s really cool working with students who have the same aspirations I had to become a nurse and helping prepare them both didactically and clinically at the bedside.”
Aloy said that her motivation is that she loves taking care of patients. Though she doesn’t work full-time at the bedside, Aloy said that she is at inpatient care while she is with her students.
Marie Gonzalez, one of Aloy’s students, said that she encourages her to be challenged.
“I had the privilege of having Professor Aloy as my clinical instructor,” Gonzalez said. “She was there to assist me with any procedure and answer any question. She gave me feedback on my performance and let me know what I could do to improve.”
Gonzalez said that Aloy is a knowledgeable and caring professor.
“She not only wants her students to be successful in her class, she also wants her students to have the knowledge necessary to perform competent patient care in their future careers,” Gonzalez said.
Aloy looks forward to continuing her education and finishing her doctoral program and nursing education, introducing technology and being present and involved for the process.
“My favorite moments have been at bedside with the students, and being able to participate with them in their learning skills, and supporting them during critical situations such as ‘code blue’ or ‘end of life,’” Aloy said. “Those moments I get to experience with my students do make it all worthwhile.”