Two Sisters Persevere on Their Long Road to Nursing

Josabeth Denise Rodriguez Batres and Lissette Alejandra Rodriguez Batres have made a habit of facing life’s biggest challenges together. From adjusting to life in a new country as teenagers to navigating the demands of nursing school years later, the sisters have spent much of their journey side by side.

Their journey began when they left El Salvador at just 15 and 16 years old and traveled alone to the United States to live with their aunt. While navigating a new country and language, they worked to support themselves and their family back home. Today, they are pursuing their next chapter together as students in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at Galen’s Nashville campus.

Their interest in healthcare started early. Growing up, their mother often spoke about her dream of becoming a nurse — something she never had the chance to pursue. Watching her passion for caring for others left a lasting impression on both sisters.

“We’re kind of continuing something she always wanted,” Josabeth said. “Not just for her, but because we want to help people too.”

The path to higher education wasn’t straightforward. For years, limited financial resources and immigration barriers made college feel out of reach. After long days in high school, they spent evenings cleaning apartments with their aunt.

“It was hard work,” Lisette recalled.

Still, it reinforced a belief they both shared: to build a different future, they would have to keep pushing forward.

Over time, the sisters sought opportunities in healthcare. They completed medical assistant certification programs and began working in cardiology practices, gaining hands-on experience while keeping their dream of becoming registered nurses alive.

“That little thing in my heart was always there,” Josabeth said. “I didn’t want to stay where I was. I wanted to go further.”

That drive hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Josabeth’s consistency and dedication is very inspiring. It’s clear that she cares about the work she does and those she influences,” said Channell Lightfoot, Practice Manager II at Centennial Heart Southern Hills. “We are so lucky to have her on the team!”

In 2024, securing residency status with immigration opened new doors, including financial aid and education opportunities. They also learned that their employer, Centennial Heart, an HCA Healthcare facility, offers the Galen Grant — providing colleagues pursuing nursing degrees with a 5% tuition discount and up to $5,250 in tuition assistance per year. For the sisters, that support made returning to school financially possible.

“I told Lissette, ‘I’m doing this,’” Josabeth recalled. “I didn’t know if she was going to do it with me, but I said, ‘I’m going back to school.’”

Lissette was ready to take the leap too. They enrolled together and are now three quarters into the ADN program.

Going through nursing school together has made all the difference.

“It’s fun because we struggle together,” Lissette said with a laugh.

That support is especially important when navigating the academic demands of nursing school in a second language. Spanish is their first language, but their coursework is in English, layered with complex medical terminology.

“It’s like speaking three languages at the same time,” Josabeth explained. “You’re thinking in Spanish, translating to English, and then learning the medical language on top of that.”

Still, the sisters push forward — studying together, encouraging each other through stressful weeks, and reminding one another why they started.

“Sometimes the first week of the quarter, I get overwhelmed,” Josabeth admitted. “And she tells me, ‘Calm down. Pace yourself. We’ll get through it.’”

“We already cried together,” Lissette joked. “But we keep going.”

Both sisters are continuing to work in healthcare while completing their nursing education. Lissette works as a telemetry technician, exploring different clinical areas, while Josabeth, with several years in cardiology, hopes to pursue a fast-paced specialty like ICU, emergency, or cardiac care.

For the sisters, moments like these are reminders of how far they’ve come — from cleaning apartments to caring for patients and preparing to become registered nurses.

Nursing school is challenging, but neither plans to give up.

“We’ve been through harder things than this,” Lissette said. “This is just part of the journey.”

Their bond has carried them through every challenge.

“She’s a fighter,” Lissette said. To Josabeth, she added, “I love you.”

“I’m very proud of you,” Josabeth responded. “I love you, and I’ll support you in anything you need. I’ll always be there anytime you need me.”

After everything they’ve experienced — moving across countries, learning a new language, building careers in healthcare — the sisters know perseverance is what brought them this far. And now, they continue that journey the same way they started it: side by side.

Explore Galen’s nursing programs and find the right fit for you.