North Central Kansas Technical College's Tools & Tech 2016

PATH TO SUCCESS
NCK Tech Nursing student, Bianca
Okinda, first came to the United States
during her high school years. Hailing from
Kenya's capital city of Nairobi, she earned a
scholarship in order to finish 12th grade in
the U.S. She even attended an extra year in
order to do so.
Once she graduated, Bianca knew she
wanted to stay in the Hays area for several
reasons. "I didn't think about going out of
town. [NCK Tech] is affordable and the
whole learning environment is good. The
people are very nice," she offered.
So Bianca began taking general education
classes from NCK Tech in 2013. She then
completed coursework to become a licensed
practical nurse (LPN), and recently graduated
from the registered nurse (RN) program.
Although nursing had been on her radar
from a young age, it was not initially what
Bianca considered as a career. As a skilled
artist, she was looking into a job involving
fine arts or graphic design. "When I came to
the U.S. I thought nursing would be a better
career," she said - a decision she made after
considering factors such as job security and
her varied interests. "I thought maybe I could
do that sort of thing (nursing); I like making
people comfortable and seeing them get
better.”
Soft spoken and with a nurturing personality,
she talks with her patients as though they
are friends. She pointed out that nursing is
very demanding work, but when her schedule
allows, she genuinely enjoys getting to know
others on a more personal level.
"We talk, not just about why they are in the
hospital," she said. "Some are very informal
and I talk to them about their backgrounds.
We just get to know each other a little more;
it's a reward just getting to know them."
Aside from enjoying her work, Bianca knows
nursing will be a viable career for many
years to come. With her RN in hand, and
credits that will transfer, Bianca is looking
into attending a four-year college to earn
a bachelor's degree of nursing. Eventually,
she's interested in getting a master’s and
doctorate degree as well.
"There's a chance to get a [nursing] job
everywhere. You can go different places and
do different things, it's a field of experience
where you change a lot and never stop
learning."
“There's a chance to get a [nursing] job everywhere. You can go different
places and do different things, it's a field of experience where you change
a lot and never stop learning.
Bianca Okinda, Nursing
4 | North Central Kansas Technical College