career advancement is possible for aspiring nurses thanks to Dayton Children's rise program

For Darlene Kelly, being a caregiver comes naturally. In the past, she’s taken care of her terminally ill godmother and her permanently disabled mother following a car accident and she recently gained custody of 3 young cousins. 

“I wanted to become a nurse because I am a caregiver at heart," shares Darlene. "I have been so busy taking care of others, but now it is time to do what I have been running from for a while. Nursing to me is more than just a job it is showing my cousins that you can achieve any dream, at any age, as long as you don’t give up."

Darlene has been an employee at Dayton Children's for the past six years, starting has worked at Dayton Children’s for the past 6 years starting as a front desk assistant and later being promoted to office manager.  But now she has the chance to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse through Dayton Children's rise career advancement program. 

"The rise program is extremely important to the healthcare industry because it has allowed me and many others to overcome the barriers that life presented while attempting to further our education. Sometimes you want to move forward, but don’t have the resources to move in the right direction," explains Darlene.

The rise career advancement program at Dayton Children’s helps historically underrepresented nursing students fulfill their professional and educational goals while removing barriers. The program provides financial assistance and program benefits, including adjusted work hours, to selected students who show scholastic achievement, promise for professional advancement, and the ability to contribute to the nursing profession and the community. The students must be employees at Dayton Children's and will continue employment with Dayton Children's for at least two more years.

“Without this program, I don’t know how I could accomplish my dream of becoming a nurse just due to my schedule alone. I was determined to finish this degree whether it took me 3 years or 20, but with this program it has made my future a lot brighter,” says Darlene.

In addition to providing necessary benefits for school and work, the rise program also focuses on mentorship and support for these students to help them succeed. 

“I’ve learned that your testimony can be what helps another person get through the same obstacle. The rise program director, Casey Hookfin, once told me to stop stressing, to breathe and go into my first test with an open mind. At the moment, I thought she was crazy, but her advice is what helped me pass! In our Rise meetings, I now share what helps me get through classes and I feel like it helps others that are going through the same things that I was," shares Darlene.  

By 2024, Darlene will have officially become a nurse, thanks to the rise career advancement program and her passion for caregiving!

"Having a program like this shows the hospital’s investment into diversity and into their employees because it better prepares us to treat and serve our patients with our higher-level education," shares Darlene.

Darlene is helping Dayton Children’s go above and beyond for our patients! The rise program is open to employees of Dayton Children’s. If you’re ready to achieve your dreams like Darlene visit here.