During the pandemic, Stephanie Smith, of Woburn, made a life-changing decision to return to school to become a nurse. After experiencing domestic violence, she wanted to provide a more stable and safe life for her and her son. At the same time, seeing the strain the pandemic put on healthcare workers led to her interest in entering the field. Middlesex Community College offered the tools, resources and support to guide her on this new path.
“It was a way to heal that helplessness and support my little boy,” Smith said. “Middlesex stepped up for me without hesitation to ensure I could continue my education. I had been out of school for 13 years and they walked me through every step. I really needed the fastest way possible to secure this degree and this program was perfect. Financially, it was the smartest option too. There was a lot of flexibility that made it possible for me to do this.”
Despite her challenging circumstances, Smith was set up for success at MCC. Middlesex security officers brought her to and from classes. Access to support services such as the campus food pantries helped keep her food and housing secure. Smith was also able to attend counseling sessions from the college’s Wellness Resource Center.
While supporting her on a personal level, the professors and classmates in MCC’s nursing program motivated Smith to grow in her role as a nurse. In her classes and clinicals, professors made concepts easier to understand. Calling the faculty “relatable, realistic and encouraging,” Smith had opportunities to reflect on her work and learn new perspectives. She also received support from her peers who helped each other through the program, from participating in study sessions to getting to know each other outside of school.
“They rallied to support not only me, but each other when one of us faced hardships, whether it was grief, loss, or the stress of school and life,” she said. “Their compassion and empathy never waned. Working alongside them, I witnessed them treat each patient with dignity and respect. They always went above and beyond to show they genuinely cared. They advocated when no one else would, determined to make a difference.”
In her clinicals, Smith benefitted from gaining hands-on experience in a variety of settings within the field. Starting at a long-term facility for the elderly, she changed dressings and assisted with tube feedings and suture removals. During her pediatric rotation, she took care of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome. After seeing a C-section in the operating room (OR), she also worked in the medical surgical unit in her last semester.
“Middlesex stepped up for me without hesitation to ensure I could continue my education. I had been out of school for 13 years and they walked me through every step. I really needed the fastest way possible to secure this degree and this program was perfect. Financially, it was the smartest option too. There was a lot of flexibility that made it possible for me to do this.” - Stephanie Smith, MCC student
MCC’s new simulation and skills lab in the Health Education and Laboratory Technology Hub also provided Smith and her classmates with hands-on practice. The safe and simulated environment allowed her to learn and make important care decisions before entering clinical sites and the workforce. While sometimes Smith felt she did great at these tasks, other times she knew she could improve and had the chance to practice her techniques.
“[Clinicals] teach you how important it is to give what you can while you have your patients,” Smith said. “It's also so important to build your confidence and critical judgement skills. [In the simulation lab], you experience scenarios that are really valuable to see. You get to practice your skills so you're comfortable with the setting and it helps you evaluate yourself.”
At the 2025 nursing pinning, Smith was named Class Marshall and spoke on behalf of her classmates. As she enters the workforce, she plans to continue her education to earn a bachelor’s degree. Though she had a difficult upbringing, her journey at MCC helped Smith realize “you really can come from nothing and still be something.”
“I'm freshly graduated, and I've already found a position at my dream job,” she said. “It makes me financially secure, which is a relief. I finally reached my goals. I don't know how I would have without MCC.”