Nursing student passionate about second career option
South Texas College student Tim Woods’ decision to enter the nursing field might have come later in life, but he says that it is one of the most important choices he has ever made. Woods, who plans to become a neonatal intensive care nurse once he graduates, loves to see a healthy child smile, and he hopes to help countless generations of families grow and flourish after he earns his nursing degree from STC.
Woods was inspired to pursue the career after seeing how much his wife enjoyed her job as a registered nurse, and it was her sound advice that led him to apply to STC’s Associate’s Degree in Nursing Program. Now they are already making plans to jump start Woods’ second career by moving to Austin to work at the local children’s hospital after he graduates.
“When I was considering the career change into nursing, at nearly 40 years old, I was questioning whether I could re-enter college after being out of school for more than 20 years and still be successful,” he said. “My dear wife told me ‘you’re never too old to do what you love, and never too old to learn,’ which is the best advice I could have ever received.
“Now that I’m a few semesters shy of my nursing degree, my wife and I are making plans to settle in Austin to be close to our grandkids. We hope to eventually continue our education, culminating in us both working as Nurse Practitioners in pediatrics and neonatology.”
Historically, men have faced some limitations in the nursing field, and as recently as the 1980s, male nurses were not allowed to work in maternity wards because it was thought that their presence would distress female patients. Woods hopes that he and others like him will continue to break down these barriers and become pioneers in the profession in order to encourage other men to consider nursing as a viable career option.
“Some people may still believe the stereotype that nurses should be female because they're more caring and supportive,” he said. “But actually, research has shown that men care just as much as women and they enjoy interacting with patients on a daily basis and making a difference in their lives just as much as women do.”
Woods’ ultimate goal is to make his biggest fan, who happens to be his wife, proud once he walks down the aisle to receive his diploma. Because she was the one who encouraged him to go back to school, he plans take her on a trip somewhere to thank her for all her support. He also wants to pay her good advice forward and offer his own words of encouragement to those thinking of continuing their educations.
“Do it now! Don't put it off, and waste decades of your productive years, working at unfulfilling jobs, before you finally grab for the golden ring,” he said. “But, most importantly, just do it...even if you think you're too old!”
Why do you think a college degree is important?When I graduate, I will become the first person in my family to ever graduate from college. Neither of my parents and only one of my five siblings ever graduated from high school. It was my parents’ proudest moment when I became the first in the family to graduate from high school. They continuously encouraged me to go to college and to graduate with a degree in order to improve my life. While I take some college courses in the late 1980s, I never saw it through to a degree. After spending more than 20 years in the workforce, the importance of an education has become more and more evident to me. And I am very thankful to my wife, family, nursing instructors and classmates for their encouragement to me to see the nursing program through to the end.
What is your biggest dream in life? I have already achieved the ultimate dream in life, when I was blessed with a beautiful, loving wife and step-daughter, and the best thing of all, two perfectly gorgeous and sweet granddaughters. I now hope to continue to be the best husband and grandpa I can be to them.