Alumni Spotlight: Janell Davis
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Alumni Spotlight: Janell Davis
Janell Davis has experienced a truly inspiring journey in her education and career! It’s amazing how she navigated through different career paths before finding her true calling. Her story highlights the importance of determination, and the impact supportive instructors played in her success. Being a first-generation college student and balancing full-time work and raising two children while being successful in college is no small feat.
UA-PTC allowed her the flexibility to work and attend college. The academic advisers were very helpful with helping her navigate class schedules and choosing classes that would be beneficial in advancing her degree. Janell also enjoyed the relaxed and laid-back environment on a smaller campus made it less overwhelming for her as non-traditional student.
She learned that college isn’t as scary as she imagined and that learning new things as an adult is possible. She also met many of her good friends during her time at UA-PTC.
Janell enrolled at UA-PTC from 2009 to 2011 and graduated with a technical certificate in practical nursing in 2011. When she started her higher education journey, she wasn’t sure what career she wanted to pursue. She started to major in nursing, then elementary education and back to nursing.
While attending UAPTC, her instructor, Mrs. Mary Hodges, played a big role in her education. Mrs. Hodges, known for her nurturing and challenging teaching style, had a significant role in shaping Janell’s nursing career. Mrs. Hodges was her comp I and later comp II instructor who was a huge influence for her. Davis said, “She was encouraging and constructive and pushed me to critically and independently think.”
She always pushed Janell to strive for excellence and become a better nurse, which left a lasting impact on her professional development.
“Mrs. Hodges always gave me good advice and support as I considered nursing or education as my career path,” Davis said. “She helped me realize I always had a desire to care for people and that nursing was a good pathway for me.”
She is currently employed as a nurse practitioner as Baptist Health in North Little Rock. She was able to do all her prerequisite courses for her Bachelor’s in nursing as well as Masters of Science in Nursing there and even returned to take statistics for my Master’s years later.
Her advice: “You get out what you put in 100%,” is both motivational and realistic.
It’s wonderful to hear that she has maintained friendships from her time at UA-PTC and has now achieved her goal of becoming a cardiac nurse practitioner.
Janell Davis
