Nursing school is a journey filled with demanding classes, long study sessions, and unforgettable milestones, and for many students, it’s a journey they take far from family. But for Tennessee sisters Tess and Cora Reider, they had a support system that was already built in. When it came time to take on nursing school, they knew they would do it the way they had done so much of life, together.

For Tess, nursing was not always part of the plan.

“Although I was originally wanting to go into veterinary school, a couple of years back I decided I wanted a change and started thinking about nursing,” Tess said.

Around the same time, Cora had already enrolled at Galen’s Nashville campus with plans to become a Registered Nurse. When Tess realized nursing was the path she wanted to pursue, Cora made a decision that reflected the close bond she shares with her sister.

“I didn’t want to go through this journey on my own, so when Tess decided she also wanted to go to Galen I wanted to do everything at the same time as her. It was only a month difference, and I’m so happy I did,” said Cora.

Waiting to start quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of their nursing journey. Through long nights of studying, challenging exams, clinical rotations and the daily demands of nursing school, the sisters were able to lean on one another through every moment.

Their biggest supporter was their mother, Deb Jennings, DNP, RN, Regional Dean of Florida for Galen. As both a nursing leader and a proud parent, Jennings had a unique perspective as she watched her daughters grow personally and professionally throughout the program.

“I think sharing the experiences did help. They pushed each other. I know they’re competitive, they may not say that, but their GPAs showed it. One quarter, one would be on Dean’s List, and the other one would be on President’s List, and then it would be flip-flop the other quarter, so that was always fun to watch,” Jennings said.

That healthy sibling rivalry became a source of motivation, inspiring both sisters to strive for excellence while supporting each other every step of the way.

“We were always wanting to ‘beat’ the other. Anytime Cora was ahead of me with her GPA it just motivated me to work harder, and vice versa. We finished with a .01 difference and graduated with honors,” said Tess.

As graduation approached, the significance of their accomplishment became even more meaningful. Not only had they successfully completed their programs together, they were also able to share one of nursing’s most cherished traditions with their mother.

During the pinning ceremony, Jennings had the honor of pinning both of her daughters as they officially entered the nursing profession. For her, it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

“That pin represents more than the completion of a degree. It symbolizes compassion, service, resilience, integrity, and a commitment to caring for others,” Jennings said. “As I pinned each of them, I felt immense pride, gratitude, and emotion. In that moment, my roles as mother, nurse, and nursing leader came together in the most beautiful way.”

Now, as they begin the next chapter of their careers, both sisters plan to stay in Tennessee and pursue their passion for emergency medicine. While their days as nursing students may be over, their commitment to caring for others, and to supporting one another, remains as strong as ever.

At Galen College of Nursing, you can explore a variety of nursing pathways, including Practical Nursing (PN/VN), Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and RN to BSN all designed to help you reach your career goals. With expert faculty, hands-on learning experiences, and a supportive community, you’ll have the tools you need to succeed from day one. Take the first step toward a future in nursing and learn which program is right for you.