Sarah McRoy was devastated.

She had failed her Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing class by one point — a moment that can stop many nursing students in their tracks. The result left her feeling defeated and questioning herself.

But with the help of Galen College of Nursing faculty, that setback became a turning point — not just in her academic journey, but in how she saw herself as a future nurse.

When McRoy started at Galen Sarasota, she wasn’t your average college student. She was a mom of three, working full time at HCA Florida Highlands Hospital in her hometown of Sebring, Florida, while attending nursing school full time as well.

She was also commuting a significant distance to campus. She estimated she drove more than 530 miles per week during the early months of the program.

Encouraged to pursue nursing after more than 20 years working in non clinical hospital roles, and with her children nearing college age themselves, McRoy decided it was finally time to invest in her own career growth.

But early in the program, McRoy quickly realized something wasn’t working. The study and test taking strategies she had relied on years earlier in high school weren’t translating to the rigor of nursing education.

That challenge came to a head in her Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing course — a class she was genuinely excited to take.

“I was super excited to get into med surg because I was ready to learn body systems and disease processes,” McRoy said. “And I was struggling, and I couldn’t understand why. I wasn’t absorbing the information, and then when I failed by one point, I was devastated. It was almost like I went through the five stages of grief.”

As discouraging as the setback felt, one phone call helped McRoy see the situation differently.
A conversation with her sister, Katie Mansfield, RN, a labor and delivery nurse, reframed the moment entirely.

“She called me and she said, ‘You’re delayed, you’re not denied,’” McRoy said. “She said, ‘This isn’t the end of your story.’ She told me I had to find the grit and perseverance to do it.”

McRoy took time to regroup, reflect, and prepare to retake the course, this time with a new mindset.

Galen Sarasota Program Director Dr. Nicole York, PhD, RN, CNE, saw a clear shift.

“In that time where she had a little bit of a hiccup, the person that left and the person that came back were two totally different people,” York said. “She almost had a renewed sense of self. This was a dream of being a nurse, and she wasn’t going to stop at anything to get it.”

One of the most important changes McRoy made wasn’t how hard she studied — it was how she studied.
After McRoy struggled, Galen Sarasota faculty member Lily Ward, who had previously worked with her as a lab instructor, reached out. Ward saw potential in McRoy and wanted to help her find a path forward, even though she was no longer her instructor at the time.

Together, they reviewed McRoy’s study habits, time management, and learning style. Ward encouraged her to take a learning assessment, which revealed something critical: McRoy was a kinesthetic learner — someone who learns best through hands on, tactile experiences rather than traditional memorization.

“I realized that I was a kinesthetic learner,” McRoy said. “I needed to see it, touch it, feel it, read it, write it, retain it, repeat it, and teach it back.”

With that insight, McRoy rebuilt her study routine around what actually worked for her. She began using concept mapping to break down complex material and the Pomodoro method, which emphasizes focused study sessions followed by short breaks.

The results were immediate. Her test scores improved by an average of 15 points, and her confidence followed.

“Initially, I saw an improvement in her grades,” Ward said. “But the real transformation became evident when she moved into later courses with entirely new material and continued to perform at a high level. She wasn’t just succeeding in one class; she had changed how she approached learning.”

Through her time at Galen, McRoy’s growing confidence helped her find her voice — not just as a student, but as a nurse and advocate. Her leadership and compassion led to nominations for a DAISY Award and earning the Rose Award from HCA Florida Highlands Hospital.

“One day, it just clicked,” McRoy said. “I learned that it’s our job to advocate for these people. We have to be the voice for them when they can’t speak.”

Though she describes herself as introverted, McRoy realized advocacy wasn’t optional. It was essential to be a nurse.

“You’ve got one life,” she said. “I want to make sure that every day I wake up and I’m breathing, I’m advocating for somebody who doesn’t have a voice, because I want to use mine.”

For York, moments like that represent success.

“That’s a win to us,” she said. “You trust that they’ll have the coping skills and advocacy to get where they need to go. It’s very fulfilling. It feels good.”

Start Your Nursing Journey at Galen

McRoy’s path to becoming a nurse wasn’t easy, but thanks to Galen faculty members and helpful student resources, it was made possible. Galen is fully invested in training the next generation of great nurses, changing the life of one to care for the lives of many. If you’re interested in becoming a nurse, Galen offers 3 pre-licensure nursing programs to help you get into the field and achieve your career goals.

Additionally, if you’re an HCA Healthcare employee looking to advance your career or become a nurse, you’re eligible for HCA Healthcare’s tuition reimbursement program. HCA Healthcare colleagues can receive up to $5,250 per year towards eligible higher education expenses.