From the Army to Oncology: One Nursing Graduate’s Journey to Purpose

When COVID-19 disrupted life across the globe, many people found themselves at a crossroads. For NETC nursing graduate Nabi Watson Sr. it was the moment that pushed him to reflect on his path and ultimately, to change it.

Originally pursuing a different career, he was working as a truck driver during the pandemic when he began to consider what came next. After some soul-searching and even a brief stint with the post office, he decided to apply to nursing school.

"If God allowed me to get accepted, I knew He'd see me through it," he said. "And He did."

That decision proved to be life changing. One clinical rotation in particular confirmed it was the right one. While helping a patient post-shower, he sat with him for a conversation, something the patient later described as the most meaningful part of his stay.

"That warmed my heart," he said. "That's when I knew nursing was for me."

Rebuilding with Purpose

After an honorable discharge from the Army, Nabi spent some time trying to figure out his next steps. Returning to the classroom after a long break could have been intimidating, especially surrounded by students of all ages and backgrounds.

But the diversity in his cohort at NETC turned out to be an asset.

"Once we got to know each other, the age and background didn't matter," he said. "We were all there for the same reason. We studied together, supported each other. It became a real community."

He credits much of his success to that support, both from classmates like Tara Quick and Hailey Vaughn, as well as the dedicated faculty members who led the program.

"I always give credit to those three women: Ms. Tracey Patrick, Ms. Hope Pigg, and Ms. Claudia McCollum. They're passionate. They want you to succeed, and that makes all the difference."

Balancing Life, Family, and School

Juggling school with parenthood and work wasn't easy. Nabi is a father of two boys. His youngest was just a toddler when he began the program. But he managed, with the help of family and a strict routine.

"I had to micromanage everything," he said. "I started using a planner for the first time. That was a game changer."

He also worked PRN in healthcare while studying, which allowed for some flexibility in his schedule. Even with the long hours and sleepless nights, giving up was never on the table.

"There were moments I was worried, sure," he said. "But never enough to quit. I used that fear to motivate me."

Looking Ahead

Having recently graduated from NETC's Associate Degree in Nursing program; Nabi is now preparing for the next step. He plans to relocate to Charlotte to begin work at Atrium Health in an oncology unit.

It's a field he's new to and a bit nervous about, but he's excited for the challenge.

"As an RN, you're responsible for everything. That's a lot of pressure, but also a big opportunity," he said. "I want to keep learning. I never want to feel like I know it all."

His dream is to continue advancing through a BSN and possibly a master's one day.

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