Sometimes, the most meaningful journeys begin with the decision to create a different future. For 19-year-old Madison Young, that decision led her to Galen College of Nursing’s Myrtle Beach campus.

Growing up, Young experienced a challenging and unstable home environment, which included alcoholism and abusive behavior. Those experiences made her childhood particularly difficult and created obstacles throughout her education.

“At that time, I didn’t believe in myself, and I didn’t think that I could be someone,” Young said.

During her high school years, Young found a source of stability and encouragement through her boyfriend and his family. At a time when she struggled to recognize her own potential, they helped her see what she was capable of achieving.

“You need to break that cycle,” Young recalled them telling her. “You are going to be the person to break it.”

For Young, breaking the cycle meant more than overcoming the challenges of her past. It meant learning to believe in herself and recognizing that her circumstances didn’t have to determine her future.

Having faced difficult moments in her own life, Young understands the importance of having someone to turn to during times of uncertainty.

When her grandmother developed dementia, Young witnessed firsthand the difference patience, and compassion could make for someone facing a confusing and frightening situation.

Her passion for nursing grew stronger when her boyfriend’s mother experienced serious complications following surgery for uterine cancer. After developing MRSA and pneumonia, she spent approximately a month in the hospital, missing Christmas, New Year’s and Young’s birthday.

Seeing someone she loved in such a vulnerable position left a lasting impression on Young and strengthened her desire to provide that same comfort and care for others.

“She was scared. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone like that,” Young said. “I wanted to be the person to take care of people, because a lot of people don’t have the support system. I didn’t when I was a kid.”

Shortly after earning her high school diploma, Young enrolled at Galen to pursue her Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), ready to turn her passion for helping others into a career.

However, adjusting to the demands of nursing school came with challenges of its own. At 19, Young sometimes found herself questioning her abilities, particularly when comparing her experiences to those of her classmates.

Managing her time and keeping up with coursework haven’t always come easily, and moments of self-doubt remain part of her journey. Still, she’s learning to push through those challenges and remind herself of what she’s working toward.

“They [Galen professors] do check up on me, and they make sure that I’m okay,” Young said.

As she continues her coursework and prepares to begin clinical experiences, Young looks forward to putting her knowledge into practice and taking the next step toward becoming a nurse.

She hopes to pursue a career in pediatrics or emergency nursing, with a particular interest in working with children because of their honesty, resilience and unique outlook on life.

Looking back, Young admits her younger self would hardly believe where she is today. What once felt out of reach is now a future she’s actively working to create. She hopes her experience encourages other students who may be questioning their abilities or wondering whether nursing school is the right path for them.

“If you have the passion, if you walk into that building, you already have what it takes,” Young said. “You just have to push yourself to do it.”

It’s a message Young continues to remind herself of as she works toward her goals. Although she knows there will be challenges ahead, she’s determined not to let uncertainty stand in her way.

“I do have what it takes. Everyone does,” Young said.