For Marlon Hernandez, going back to school was never part of the plan. For more than a decade, he built a successful career in emergency services, working as a firefighter, EMS provider, and eventually a flight paramedic. Along the way, he earned six board certifications and developed a deep passion for patient care.

While he loves his work, Hernandez realized that after reaching the role of flight paramedic, there were limited opportunities for advancement.

“You kind of don’t want to become a nurse as a paramedic, because the pre-hospital environment is different than being confined to a hospital. I had been putting off going to nursing school for so long though, so after talking to my wife, I decided to enroll,” Hernandez said.

When it came time to choose a nursing program, Hernandez said the decision was easy. Within a week, he had enrolled at Galen College of Nursing’s Miami campus and began completing prerequisites so he could start the semester on time. Returning to school, however, was only one of the many responsibilities on his plate.

“I’m also the Director of Clinical Operations for Caribbean Air Ambulance, an air service provider in St. Thomas. I mean, I’m pretty much everywhere. I own my own CPR business as a CPR instructor here in South Florida,” Hernandez said.

Balancing school, work, and family life is no small feat. Hernandez says he is often on call at all hours of the night, making time management one of the biggest challenges of his nursing school journey. Even with years of medical experience, he quickly learned that nursing required a different perspective and skill set.

“The hardest lesson I learned was in fundamentals. Taking blood pressure, it was nerve-wracking. I’ve done this for 10 years, I can take blood pressure, but it was very nerve-wracking because I was like, this is nursing school. The instructor’s looking at me because it needs to be perfect. As a nurse, you’re checking skin integrity, you’re checking between the toes, and I was like, this is a different ball game for me,” Hernandez said.

Throughout the process, Hernandez says he has relied heavily on the support of his family, especially his wife, who inspired him to take the leap into nursing.

“She’s been my motivation to start the program and my biggest supporter throughout the semester. She’s been a nurse for four years, previously in the ER, which is where we met when I was picking up her patient, and most recently, a nurse navigator for the Lung Cancer Center at Memorial Regional,” Hernandez said.

While he is still exploring what specialty he would like to pursue after earning his associate degree in nursing from Galen, Hernandez says he has always felt drawn to pediatrics and hopes to one day make an impact caring for children and their families.

For Hernandez, returning to school represents more than a career move, it’s an opportunity to continue growing as a healthcare professional while expanding the ways he can serve his patients. With a demanding schedule, multiple leadership roles, and the unwavering support of his family, he is proving that it is never too late to pursue a new goal.

Ready to take the next step in your healthcare career?

Just like Hernandez, you can turn your passion for patient care into new opportunities at Galen College of Nursing. Whether you’re beginning your nursing journey or building on years of healthcare experience, Galen offers programs designed to help you reach your goals. From Practical Nursing (PN) and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pathways and online RN-to-BSN options, Galen provides flexible learning opportunities to fit your life. With dedicated faculty, hands-on clinical experiences, and year-round enrollment, there’s no better time to invest in your future.