Sarah Larkins first considered becoming a nurse in a high school classroom. In her child development course, she listened as a guest speaker shared her family's experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
"The amazing NICU nurses made their time in the hospital more bearable, even with an infant who was given a low chance of surviving," Sarah recalled.
A few years later, Sarah witnessed the impact of nurses firsthand. Her neighbors welcomed a baby girl at just 28 weeks who weighed only three pounds at birth. The infant spent three months in the NICU fighting to survive. Today, that little girl is a thriving, energetic child.
"No one would be able to tell that this spunky and sassy little girl was born 12 weeks early," Sarah said. "It was not only due to her inner warrior, but from the care of those NICU nurses."
Those experiences inspired Sarah to pursue a career in nursing.
"I pursued nursing because I knew I wanted to work with people and be able to change their lives for the better," she said.
A graduate of a Raymore-Peculiar High School, Sarah credits her local education with helping prepare her for the challenges of nursing school.
"My education in Cass County prepared me to become a nurse by challenging me and prompting me to use critical thinking," she shared.
During her nursing education at Barton College in North Carolina, Sarah received scholarship support from Cass Community Health Foundation each year she was enrolled. That consistent investment helped make it possible for her to stay focused on her studies and successfully complete her degree.
"The scholarship from Cass Community Health Foundation meant everything to me," Sarah said. "It helped me pay for nursing school and ultimately graduate with my nursing degree."
Sarah is returning to the area to begin her nursing career in the operating room at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri, where she will put her education and training into practice while caring for patients during some of their most critical moments.
Sarah hopes donors understand the lasting impact their generosity has on students like her.
"I would say that their donations go farther than they think and are paving the way for new nurses."
Thanks to Cass Community Health Foundation, students like Sarah can pursue their dreams, graduate with less financial burden, and enter the healthcare workforce ready to serve their communities.
Cass Community Health Foundation is committed to support students like Sarah. The foundation will continue to support additional local students from Archie High School, Belton High School, Midway High School, Drexel High School, Grandview High School, Harrisonville High School, Heartland Christian School, Pleasant Hill High School, Raymore-Peculiar High School, Sherwood Cass High School or Training Center Christian School. Students interested in nursing or other health related degrees can apply at casscommunityhealth.org/scholarships.
