A Labor of Love: Delivering a New Generation

Being a mom isn’t a prerequisite for nursing, but that background has been invaluable for Erin Escamilla. It ignited her passion to help growing families in her community. Her ultimate goal is to become an obstetrics nurse and help other mothers through the labor and delivery process.

Many people associate labor and delivery with pain, but Escamilla focuses on the love childbirth produces and how she can offer support and care for expectant mothers.

"I've always been drawn to nursing," Escamilla said. "I actually have three kids, and so going through that process of being in the labor and delivery room … I've always wanted to be on the other side and felt like I could make that experience for other moms really, really great."

Escamilla is also a military spouse. Her educational journey started in California and has endured numerous relocations, but the cross-country move has enriched her experience. At AACC, Escamilla has taken full advantage of the available financial assistance. It has allowed her to balance her time between studies and her children.

"I received the Tess Richards Memorial Scholarship. It's a nursing scholarship program … This has changed my experience. I've been able to afford more nursing school supplies and a little bit more time with my kids and be able to balance that life."

The skills she has developed at AACC have made the leap to practitioner less daunting. Through a curriculum that offers academic and experiential coursework, Escamilla feels ready for a seamless transition into the role of an obstetrics nurse. 

She also credits much of her academic success and skill development to AACC’s instructors. "The professors just take the time to get to know you, and they know your strengths and your weaknesses. They are able to push you in different ways, whether it's restudying a certain electrolyte level or if you need to have some extra time on the floor. They really spend that time to get to know you a little more and are able to encourage you in that way."

Escamilla advises prospective students to act on their dreams because it's the only way to make them a reality.

"Being a parent and a nursing student has been, I mean, it is very humbling," she adds. "It's the most proud of myself I've been in a very long time."