Leticia Guasp, a 37-year-old Durham, NC native, has always been driven by a passion for healthcare. Born in the Bronx, NY, she moved south at a young age and has called North Carolina home since 1999. Her educational journey began with a public health degree from UNC Greensboro in 2013, followed by an associate’s degree in nursing, which she completed in 2022. It was a pivotal conversation with a nurse at UNC that inspired her shift from aspiring PA to dedicated nurse.
“I remember it was a black nurse that came into our patient’s room… She was like, ‘Oh my God,’ she was like, ‘I think you should go to nursing school. She was like, you’d be a great nurse,'” Leticia recalled. This encouragement, combined with her existing prerequisites, led her to nursing. Despite facing challenges, including failing a class and navigating an appeal process during her associate’s degree, she persevered, graduating in 2022.
Leticia currently works as a cardiothoracic ICU nurse at UNC, specializing in complex heart and lung conditions. Her unit cares for critically ill patients, often those undergoing major surgeries like heart and lung transplants or requiring advanced life support devices. It’s a high-stakes, demanding environment.
After working for two years, Leticia decided to pursue her RN to BSN degree. She specifically sought an online program from a historically black college, ultimately choosing North Carolina Central University (NCCU) for its proximity and seamless admission process. “My experience like applying and getting into the program was very like seamless,” she noted, praising the admission counselor’s instrumental support.
Leticia took on the ambitious task of completing the program in just one year, opting for a full-time schedule of four eight-week classes per semester. This meant navigating multiple assignments weekly while working three 12-hour night shifts in the ICU. The final eight weeks, in particular, presented immense challenges. “I had to get my [95 community health] hours on top of working full time and doing school full time,” she explained. Life’s curveballs, including her sister’s medical emergency, added to the pressure.
Despite these hurdles, Leticia’s dedication and the support system at NCCU proved crucial. “My instructors were very like supportive and especially my nursing director, Doctor Smith, was phenomenal and successful to making sure that like I was able to succeed,” she shared. The program’s understanding of adult learners’ real-life complexities, coupled with the invaluable assistance of a dedicated success coach, made a significant difference compared to her previous academic experiences. “I don’t think I have any friends who are in other programs that actually have that option to have a success coach to help you navigate through the program,” she observed.
Now, with her BSN in hand, Leticia is poised for new opportunities. The degree opens doors to leadership roles and further advanced education. She plans to pursue a master’s degree, possibly as a Nurse Practitioner or in epidemiology, returning to her public health roots. She also expressed interest in becoming a clinical instructor.
Walking across the graduation stage is more than just a ceremony for Leticia. “It’s gonna feel like the weight has been lifted off of my shoulders,” she exclaimed, reflecting on the “hard work and like dedication and blood, sweat and tears” that went into earning her third degree, and her second in nursing, with honors.
Her recent experience with her sister’s preeclampsia, where Leticia’s nursing knowledge was vital in advocating for proper medical care, reinforced the profound importance of her profession. “I’m definitely grateful to be a nurse and, like, know the signs and symptoms of what to look out for,” she said, highlighting the disparities in healthcare for Black and brown individuals.
Leticia’s journey exemplifies resilience and a commitment to lifelong learning, inspiring both her family and her patients.
The Next Chapter
Leticia Guasp, a 37-year-old cardiothoracic ICU nurse, has just completed her RN to BSN degree from North Carolina Central University Online. Despite working full-time night shifts and navigating a demanding curriculum with personal challenges, she persevered, thanks to her dedication and the robust support system at NCCU. “I feel like all of my hard work and like dedication and blood, sweat and tears all paid off,” Leticia shares. With her BSN, she’s now ready to explore leadership roles and pursue a master’s degree, continuing her journey of excellence in nursing.
Leticia Guasp, North Carolina Central University Online, RN to BSN program
