Judith Burchell, a 1999 graduate of the RN program at Capital Community College in Hartford, CT, credits Capital with giving her the support and the encouragement to expand and reach her goals. A single mother with three children, ages 5 to 17, she is working toward her bachelor’s degree and runs her own day care center. A few years ago, she never could have imagined a life so full.

“When I first arrived at Capital, I was a young, overwhelmed mother and didn’t know what was going to happen with my life — I just knew I wanted to do something with it,” says Burchell. “Although I always dreamed of becoming anurse, I wasn’t sure it was a realistic dream.But my supporters at Capital Community College were. They assured me of my capabilities when I was not so sure of them.”

Burchell enrolled in the Capital’s pre-nursing program, which is designed to prepare economically and educationally disadvantaged students for the rigorous associate degree nursing program. With support from the faculty and staff, she gained increasing confidence. “We were always encouraged to figure out situations  — academic and personal,” says Burchell. “We were taught how to think, how to problem solve. We weren’t coddled; we were challenged.”

Burchell will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in May 2006. Her day care center is thriving and is now a certified pre-school. She even serves as an instructor for the American Nurses Association, certifying day care workers to administer medications to children.