Rhonda Trotter dreamed of becoming a nurse after high school, but her mother told her there were too many nurses, so she decided to go into computer science, taking a job at the United States Postal Service.
She eventually went back to school to get her nursing degree, but then both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer weeks apart, and Trotter stepped back again to take care of them. After retiring from the Postal Service in 2018, she enrolled in nursing school in January 2019. Now Trotter works with some of the doctors who cared for her parents.
Daily Nurse is proud to recognize Rhonda Trotter as our Nurse of the Week, honoring her journey to become a nurse as a testament to resilience and determination that spans nearly four decades.
Trotter, 57, started as an RN in general surgery at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas, in January 2020, right before COVID. She says she took her initial nursing core courses after graduating high school in 1983, so it was a more than 35-year journey to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse.
Her story exemplifies the power of perseverance and the belief that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.
Daily Nurse spoke with Trotter about her incredible and inspirational nursing journey.
What inspired you to enroll in nursing school?
I always wanted to be a nurse because I had a lot of family with health issues, and I wanted to be able to help them, and others get well.
How did COVID impact your education?
COVID did affect my education. Most of the skills we had to perform were virtual. I had a Hello Kitty doll as a patient and had to do what I had to do while professors watched via Zoom.
After 35 years, you fulfilled your dream of becoming a nurse. How does it feel?
It’s amazing. I now travel the same path to work as I did when I worked at the post office, and I am so glad I get to go to the hospital and care for my patients. I am very excited to go to work every day.
Do you regret going into computer science and working for the Postal Service instead of becoming a nurse?
I pursued nursing the entire time, but life got in the way. I was a single parent and had to take these jobs to support my family. The post office was a great paying job, and I could have stayed there many more years, but it wasn’t fulfilling. I have known since childhood that I wanted to be a nurse, and I am glad I never gave up on that dream.
How has nursing changed since you took your nursing core courses in high school?
It’s changed tremendously. Technology and advances in medicine – vital signs, temperatures, etc. are all different now. When I was in high school, we had to do many things that machines take care of now manually.
What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?
I enjoy my interactions with patients and seeing them accomplish milestones allowing them to go home to their families and live their lives. It is so rewarding to help people get better.
What is your advice for others who think it’s too late to pursue their dreams?
Always have faith and believe you can achieve it. I never gave up on my dream of becoming a nurse, and you shouldn’t give up on your dreams, either.
Anything else to add?
Becoming a nurse and helping people has made my life complete. I have achieved my purpose.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
