For more than 20 years, Diana Frederick did what so many parents do – she sacrificed her career goals to help raise her family.

Diana worked as a patient care technician and a certified nursing assistant for two decades, waiting for her chance to go back to school. When the last of her seven children finished high school, it was finally time for her to check out nursing schools to become an RN. As an HCA Healthcare colleague working at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, SC, Frederick didn’t have to look far to find her local Galen College of Nursing campus; It was right across the hospital’s parking lot.

“Attending nursing school was always something I wanted to do and complete, and I’ve always had a passion for being a nurse,” Frederick said. “But my journey has not been easy. Life didn’t stop during nursing school.

What began in January 2024 and concluded in March 2026 became the culmination of decades of experience, determination, and the heart to finish what she started.

With many years of experience in her career, Frederick wasn’t afraid of attending school again for the first time in more than 30 years. She knew the role and its demands very well, understanding the pace, pressure, and the moments when compassionate care is necessary amidst the chaos.

She enrolled in Galen’s associate degree in nursing (ADN) program, ideal for people like her: someone with real‑world experience, responsibilities outside the classroom, and a deep commitment to becoming a nurse.

She quickly made an impact on campus, both with her cohort of students and with faculty and staff. She especially endeared herself to everyone by baking dozens of cookies around test time.

“At any hosted event, she is often the first to volunteer, eagerly offering her help—and almost always bringing homemade cookies to share,” Galen Myrtle Beach Campus Engagement Specialist Caitlin Morsch said. “Her enthusiasm for being involved goes far beyond events. Diana is a passionate advocate and ambassador for our Myrtle Beach campus who thrives on building connections and supporting others.”

Halfway through her degree program, Frederick was visiting family members in her home state of Maine during a break in classes.

While hiking with her sister in the woods behind her house, Frederick suddenly slipped and fell. She immediately knew something was wrong.

“I tore some muscles in my shoulder and broke my leg in two places” Frederick said. “I wound up having four surgeries on my leg.”

In an instant, everything she had worked toward felt uncertain. She couldn’t walk. She couldn’t attend clinicals. And after waiting 20 years for this opportunity, the possibility of stopping felt unbearable.

“I didn’t want to miss school, because I waited for 20 years,” she said.

For many students, this might have been the end of the journey. But Galen didn’t tell Frederick to stop. Instead, they worked with her to keep going.

While Frederick recovered from her injuries, the Galen leadership team on the Myrtle Beach campus made sure that she could continue her studies remotely.

“I emailed my Dean and asked her if I could still attend with crutches,” she said. “And she said, ‘Well, let’s just get you into some online classes.’ They were so supportive.”

The campus’s flexibility, along with doctor’s orders to be off her feet for 8 weeks, came with a small silver lining for Frederick.

“I actually made Dean’s List that term,” she said.

When the time came to return to clinicals, Frederick faced another challenge. She had to be able to walk independently within 12 weeks, with no crutches or assistance. So, she committed fully to physical therapy.

“I was determined that I was not going to be held back,” she said. “I started walking on my own two days before the beginning of the next term.”

Her classmates and instructors rallied around her.

“Without their support,” Frederick said, “I wouldn’t have made it back in time.”

Last month, Frederick walked out of Galen College of Nursing as an ADN graduate, completing her degree program after a two-year journey. She has already accepted a job as a registered nurse in the Grand Strand Medical Center Emergency Department, starting a new chapter in her career after years of putting others before her.

According to Lisa Callaghan, a faculty member at Galen’s Myrtle Beach campus, Diana brings more than clinical skill into her nursing practice.

“Diana leads with a heartfelt compassion that is felt by everyone around her, always taking the time to truly listen, comfort, and connect with her patients in meaningful ways,” Callaghan said. “Her strong work ethic shines through her steady dedication, kindness, and genuine desire to do her best for others each day. She will be a deeply caring and impactful presence in the nursing profession, and it has been a privilege to watch her grow.”

For Diana, becoming a nurse was never just about earning a degree—it was about proving to herself and her family that perseverance matters.

“I’ve always wanted to (become an RN), not just prove it to myself, but I want my kids and my grandkids to know that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams,” Frederick said. “I’m 53-years old, graduating from nursing school. They can do whatever they want to do.”

If you’re thinking about returning to school and leveling up your career, check out what Galen College of Nursing has to offer. Galen offers three pre-licensure degree programs for aspiring nurses, including a practical/vocational nursing diploma, an ADN degree like Frederick, and a 3-year bachelors of science in nursing.