“The JVS Nursing Refresher program gave me the confidence to step back into the hospital.” – Sarah, Registered Nurse
For Sarah, nursing isn’t just a career, it’s part of her identity. A third-generation nurse, she followed her mother and grandmother into the profession, beginning in the neonatal intensive care unit before moving into pediatric intensive care. For five years, she excelled in that role, caring for some of the hospital’s most vulnerable patients and supporting families through critical moments.
When Sarah started her own family, she stepped away from the hospital. “I wanted to be fully present for my kids during those early years,” she shares. Sarah served on nonprofit boards, led a Girl Scout troop, and coached new parents as a way to continue supporting families in her community. “Caregiving has always been at the center of who I am,” she reflects.
As her children grew, Sarah felt called back to nursing. Returning, however, meant updating her skills and rebuilding confidence in a rapidly evolving healthcare field. In early 2025, she enrolled in JVS’s Nursing Refresher program, the first cohort offered since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program, designed to help experienced nurses re-enter the workforce, offered Sarah exactly what she needed: classroom instruction, clinical practice, and career development support. “I was amazed by how comprehensive it was,” she says. “I not only refreshed my technical skills but also learned how to present myself to employers. The career coaching was just as valuable as the clinical training.”
Today, Sarah is completing her clinical hours at California Pacific Medical Center in pediatric acute care, rediscovering the fast-paced hospital setting that first inspired her career. “Working with children and families has always been my passion,” she says. “Kids are resilient, and nursing them back to health means building trust and caring for the whole family.”
Looking ahead, Sarah hopes to mentor new nurses, continue her education, and eventually pursue an advanced practice role. “The Nursing Refresher program gave me the bridge back to the bedside,” Sarah says. “Now, I’m ready for the next chapter of my career.”
Sarah’s story first appeared in our 2025 Impact Report. Check out the full report for more inspiring alumni stories.
