As Commencement approaches at the University of Lynchburg, Alea Wood ’24 has been reflecting on her journey to become a nurse, balancing school work with caring for a family and a part-time job.
“Lynchburg has taught me the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and community,” she said. “I’ve learned valuable critical thinking skills and have also gained life lessons in resilience, teamwork, and empathy. I know these skills will help me in my nursing profession and will continue to guide me beyond graduation.”
Initially drawn to Lynchburg for its welcoming and inclusive culture, Wood found the University to be the perfect environment to balance her life demands. “This supportive community felt perfect for someone like me who is balancing family life, work, and education,” she said.
Wood’s academic journey at Lynchburg, with its rigorous curriculum coaching from faculty and fellow nurses, and hands-on experience to enhance her skills and confidence, showed her she made the right choice to become a nurse.
It also pushed her to excel and develop resilience. “The clinical rotations were a way to develop critical thinking skills in patient care, and these challenges have strengthened my confidence and determination,” she said.
“I’ve gained excellent nursing and practical skills, which have helped me develop a deeper understanding of how to effectively care for patients and achieve optimal patient outcomes. I felt so supported by Lynchburg’s nursing faculty who have helped me grow both personally and professionally. I’m so excited to officially see my dreams actualized.”
Balancing multiple roles required exceptional time management, a skill she honed early on in life and at Lynchburg. Online courses and summer classes were instrumental in maximizing her efficiency, while open communication with everyone in her life helped maintain a good work/life balance.
“Communication with my professors has helped me in managing expectations and finding balance,” she said.
She added that it was also helpful that her husband, Shawn Wood, who works in the University’s advancement office was “there to help in every way I needed with our kids’ schedules, games, and appointments.
“I couldn’t have done it without him,” she said.
As a student worker in Knight-Capron Library, she interacted with the library staff and her fellow students, which further enriched her college experience.
“Our library truly cares about the students and is so interactive,” she said. “The staff are always looking for ways to actively engage with students. They offer several relaxing activities students can utilize during study breaks. It’s such a place of Zen. I love it and will miss it.”
Wood will be missed at the library, too. “She is such a joy to be around,” Library Director Jenny Horton said. “Always smiling, willing to learn new things, and giving the best customer service. She’s a great team member to students as well as staff.”
Wood attributes her joyful and positive demeanor to the strong support system of her family and a focus on self-care and gratitude.
“Maintaining a positive attitude is essential, especially during challenging times,” she said. “I’m blessed with a wonderful life, quite honestly. I have an amazing husband and two beautiful daughters. I’ve found that focusing on gratitude and finding joy in life helps me to stay motivated and positive.”
Reflecting on her educational journey, she valued the perseverance, adaptability, and community lessons she learned inside and outside the classroom. She looks forward to her new job as an operating room nurse at Lynchburg General Hospital. Her long-term goals include further education to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
She advises incoming students, especially nontraditional ones like her, to embrace the entire journey, leveraging support systems and prioritizing self-care.
“My nursing classmates were amazing,” she said. “We were each other’s cheerleaders and I felt we were all there to help each other to succeed. Most importantly, take the time to take care of yourself and find joy in the process. Don’t let anything stop you from fulfilling your dreams.”
