DUBLIN — BCC graduate Annette Price has become the first recipient of the Bladen We Care Endowed Scholarship for the bachelor of nursing degree at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Price, a Baytree resident, mother of two sons and wife of Ricky Price, found her calling to nursing through circuitous events.
In 2010, Price graduated from Methodist University with a bachelor of science degree in biology, a concentration in zoology, and plans to attend veterinarian school. However, when she was admitted to Bladen County Hospital for the birth of her first son, she fell in love with nursing.
“My boys are the main reason that I became a nurse, she explains. “I will always remember their births and the miracle of life.”
Consequently, she enrolled in the nursing program at BCC. Price was impressed with the opportunity to receive practical experience while still a student. “BCC prepares a nursing student with not only classroom work, but also hands-on nursing experience. This was a very important part of my education.”
Price completed her associate degree in nursing at Bladen Community College in 2014, while working at Bladen County Hospital as a nurse assistant. During her employment with the hospital, Price became a clinical ladder nurse II and received her lactation certification.
It was the hospital’s educator, who told Price about the opportunity to bridge her associate degree to a bachelor degree with the Bladen We Care scholarship.
She applied and was selected as the recipient of the Bladen We Care Endowed Scholarship, an award specifically dedicated to a BCC graduate who wishes to enroll in the bachelor of science in nursing program at UNCP. The scholarship was created by Bladen We Care, a community based not-for-profit foundation governed by a volunteer board of directors dedicated to raising and overseeing the distribution of funds which will help provide health care for patients in need in Bladen County.
Price is currently working nights in the labor and delivery room at BCH while enrolled at UNCP as a full-time student, a feat which she attributes in part to family support.
“I cannot do what I’m doing without my mom, Betsy Mote, or my husband,” she explains. “My mom helps with keeping the house functional and helps with the kids when my husband and I are working. She has always pushed me to further my education and has been my backbone throughout life. My husband has always encouraged me to not only reach for my goals, but to attain them as well. He is extremely proud of my achievements and continues to encourage me daily.”
Price has high praise for the “challenging and demanding nursing program at BCC.” She is especially grateful to faculty members Michelle Norris, Angie Lowry, and Amy Cummings for the educational experience at Bladen Community College.
“I want to express how thankful I am to Mr. Mac Campbell and Bladen We Care.” she states. “This scholarship is a wonderful opportunity and I hope I am making them proud.”
She concludes, “I grew up on a blueberry farm and learned that to get what you want in life, you have to work hard. If you put God first, everything will fall into place.”
For information about the Bladen We Care Endowed Scholarship or nursing programs at Bladen Community College, contact Sharron Thomas at 910-879-5532.
Cathy Kinlaw is the marketing and public information director for Bladen Community College.