The ICU Experience That Sparked a Future RN’s Dream 

Sometimes a single phone call can change everything. For Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student Margot Rojas, that call didn’t just alter her family’s life — it led her to her life’s calling. 

Late one night, she and her husband received a call from the ICU at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center. Her brother-in-law had been critically injured in a car accident, and they were the only family he had in the country at the time. They immediately got in their car and drove over 100 miles from their home in Killene, Texas, to the hospital in Dallas.  

While his future was uncertain, the attentiveness of the care team left a lasting impression on Margot. The nurses were so compassionate that it sparked a journey that she never expected.  

“They explained everything, checked on us, and even made sure my in-laws had a translator when they returned to Texas and came to visit,” she recalled. “They were really understanding of our culture and even helped us pray together with a chaplain. They were attentive to every detail, big and small. That made me realize that nursing isn’t only about treating patients — it’s about treating people. I fell in love with that feeling.” 

Despite the scary start, Margot shares that her brother-in-law’s recovery has been slow but steady. “He’s learning to be more independent, and his mindset has been inspiring,” she said. “Family has been the biggest part of his healing, and I realized I wanted to bring that kind of support to others through nursing.”  

After she had this thought, she decided to explore what a career in nursing might look like. It would undoubtedly be a huge career shift for her. Before Galen, she built a successful corporate career as a general manager for a chiropractic company, eventually overseeing seven to nine clinics across Texas. “I never once thought I could be a nurse. I didn’t think I was smart enough. Math scared me,” she admitted with a laugh. “But after what happened with my brother-in-law and some other health issues with my mom, I wanted to do something where I could really make a difference.” 

With encouragement from her husband and support from her family, Margot began exploring nursing schools. Galen’s Austin campus stood out immediately. “When I visited, the atmosphere was different. They talked about students in a way that made me feel like I’d be supported every step of the way,” she remembers. With Galen accepting her transfer credits and financial aid through the GI Bill, she signed on for the BSN program. She adds, “The accelerated program fit where I was in life. All the boxes checked off. It felt like a sign.”  

That sense of support has only grown during her time at Galen. “Nursing school is hard, but Galen makes sure help is always there,” she said. “I attend enrichment sessions with my instructor, Melissa Campagna, and use her resources like worksheets and key concepts — those helped me so much in med-surg and patho.” She says her class instructors, Linda Sifuentes and Elizabeth Boyd, were also instrumental in making the coursework click. “They have a way of engaging everyone and breaking things down so it actually makes sense, especially for students like me who don’t have a healthcare background,” Margot says.  

Now, as she moves closer to graduating next year, Margot’s excitement is building. “I can’t wait to become a registered nurse, meet people, build relationships, and help change lives — just as mine has been changed. Looking back to that first night with my brother-in-law at the ICU, I never imagined I’d be here. But I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”