Mother, daughter graduate from nursing school together Sherita Latiker got to experience a rare life event; she graduated side-by-side with her daughter, LaKenya, from Holmes Community College's Practical Nursing program. Both women, who reside in Carthage, were honored during a pinning ceremony held at the Holmes Attala Center in Kosciusko on June 25.
"Going through the nursing program with LaKenya was the best experience," Sherita said. "We would study together, and I really learned a lot from her."
LaKenya echoed her mother's sentiments about going through nursing school together, also noting the perks of having an 'all-the-time study buddy.'
"I have never done anything like this," LaKenya said, "and I'm glad we decided to do it together. It was nice having someone to encourage me."
The Holmes PN program offers two different options, a full-time track and a hybrid option. LaKenya took on the full-time, face-to-face track, while her mother was part of the hybrid program.
"I went into the field of nursing to encourage my daughter," Sherita said. "I wanted her to see that if I could do it, she for sure could do it. For me, I chose Holmes' hybrid nursing program because of the flexibility. It worked out well that I was able to work while I completed the program."
LaKenya said that she'd had dreams of becoming a nurse ever since she was a child.
"As a little girl, it was always my dream to be a nurse," LaKenya said. "I remember when I was diagnosed with a very rare disease, and I had to be hospitalized for a while. The nurses I had were amazing and I knew that I wanted to be just like them. The event that really inspired me to become a nurse, though, was when my father had a car wreck and I had to help him with daily living activities.
"I chose Holmes' nursing program because I had heard about the wonderful experiences people had there," LaKenya said. "I did my own research and came to the conclusion that this was a program that I wanted to be part of."
During the 2020 spring semester, things took an unexpected turn for the Latiker ladies and the rest of the world when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Despite the hardships of continuing nursing school during the pandemic, however, both mother and daughter prevailed with flying colors.
"One of my challenges was transitioning from face-to-face to online classes," LaKenya said. "I had the most difficult time trying to adjust to that. I was also not able to attend clinical rotations so that made my learning experience a lot more difficult, but I just focused on what was important and pushed through.
"Now that I've graduated, my plans are to get a job, work and go back to school for my BSN," LaKenya said. "I'd like to work in labor and delivery."
Since Sherita was already doing online classes through the hybrid program option, she said her only challenge was not being able to do the face-to-face clinical rotations.
"Now that I've graduated, my goal is to pass the NCLEX and find a job in the clinical setting," Sherita said.
Other than LaKenya, Sherita has another child, Aidan. The Latikers attend Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, and Sherita has volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club in Carthage tutoring students in math.
"The PN program was wonderful," Sherita said. "I had the best instructors, Dr. Christi Blair and Mrs. Tammy Caldwell, who were always available to help me in any way they could, and for that I am forever grateful."
LaKenya agreed with her mother that the instructors really made the program for her.
"The instructors were amazing," LaKenya said. "They were always open to questions and if you needed extra help, they were willing to give it. I absolutely suggest this program to anyone who wishes to pursue a nursing degree."
In addition to the Attala Center in Kosciusko, Holmes offers the Practical Nursing program on the Grenada and Ridgeland campuses, as well. The full-time day track accepts students each August and lasts three semesters. The hybrid options also begins in August and lasts five consecutive semesters. The applications for the PN program are available online at www.holmescc.edu Jan. 15-April 30.
For more information on the Holmes PN program, visit the Practical Nursing Webpage. For information on the Attala Center program specifically, contact Dr. Blair at cblair@holmescc.edu or (662) 472-9173.
