Meet Molly N.

Nursing graduate

Someday, Molly Novakowski hopes her young daughter will appreciate the hard work and long hours that went into her training to be a Registered Nurse. But right now, Molly just wants her to share in an accomplishment that’s been five years in the making.

The graduate of the college’s evening Nursing program had to juggle motherhood, a full-time job and her nursing studies over the past several years. It hasn't been easy, but it has been worth it.

“It’s a challenging program, that’s for sure,” she said. “I was a 4.0 student before I started taking my nursing courses. You realize very quickly that you have to study, do the reading, put in the time or you just won’t succeed.”

Like many graduates of the college’s Nursing program, Molly already has a job lined up – working in the trauma floor at Albany Medical Center. Her ultimate goal is to work in ICU and she said this first job will be a good stepping stone toward that. And now that she won’t be juggling both work and school, she’s looking forward to more quality time with her daughter, too.

“My daughter will turn 7 the day after graduation,” Molly said. “It’s been hard because I’ve dedicated so much time to this, and it’s heartbreaking when your six-year-old tells you she wants you around more. I justify it by knowing what my schedule will be like when I’m a nurse – three days a week and four days off. I’ll be able to spend a lot more time with her.”