Have you ever spoken with a person for awhile, then afterwards been aware of how positive you feel? Such is the case to interview Lynn Brayton; she exudes enthusiasm for learning and an upbeat demeanor. After several years of college and a 26-year career in food services and sales, she was laid off from her job. Rather than see this as a crisis with negative consequences, Lynn took the opportunity to return to school.
“I always wanted to be in the medical field,” she explained, “…to do something with a purpose.” She learned about the GAIN (Grant for Academic Initiative in Nursing) project at RWC and decided to apply. Currently Lynn is a GAIN scholar in the first year of the clinical Nursing Program. She is an excellent student and recently applied to the UC Honors Program at RWC
Lynn is a single mother with a 15-year old daughter, who is a sophomore in high school. Being both a mother and a full-time student keeps her very busy. She sees the opportunity to be in college to be a mind opening experience, which has changed her way of thinking.
She feels more capable of thinking more deeply and critically due to her classes here. She is especially interested in a holistic approach to healing and the use of complimentary healing therapies, citing instances when she has used them in her own life.
Lynn is also currently enrolled in the UC Honors Program and has added an additional honors project to her current nursing course on the topic of massage and healing touch. She plans to graduate from RWC in June 2006 with an Honors degree and continue her education at the College of Nursing, with a Masters in Nursing degree being her ultimate goal.
The faculty and staff of the Nursing Department commend you, Lynn, for all you have accomplished. We are delighted to have you as a student in our department!