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June 9, 2020BOCES graduate climbs the nursing career ladder
A graduate of the Capital Region Adult Practical Nursing program has been promoted to director of nursing at the Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Rebecca Luce of Troy is a 2002 graduate of the adult program and credits it with giving her a bright future.
“The BOCES program was the foundation of my career. I started as a graduated practical nurse at the Albany County Nursing Home and since have held many positions to include a floor nurse, clinic coordinator, staff Registered Nurse (RN), a manager, the assistant director of nursing and now the director of nursing,” she said.
Luce enrolled in the full-time BOCES program as a single mom and Army veteran looking for a bright and stable future. She was one of 53 to enroll in the program and 51 to graduate from it, Currently, more than 120 graduate from the program annually.
“I was a single mom of a two-year-old and had been out of the Army for 2 years and was trying to make a better life for myself and my son. I wanted to support him without the daily financial struggles on top of being a single mom,” she said. “I had been struggling with what to do since I left the military where I served as a medic for four years. I learned of the program and decided that although it would be difficult to work, go to school and raise my son on my own, that it being only a one-year program I could and had to do so for both of us.”
After graduating and becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Luce went to Maria College and graduated in 2009 with an Associate’s Degree and became a RN.
“I would tell any prospective student to join the program and take the first step into a very rewarding career,” she said.”You’ll have many challenging days … however there is nothing more satisfying than the fact that you have made a difference in the lives of others.”
BOCES faculty members praised the alumni as a shining example of what hard work and perseverance can accomplish.
“Rebecca was an excellent student who was eager to learn new and advanced skills. … She took on extra responsibilities and took them very seriously as she was able to multitask in a calm and effective manner,” said Maureen Consentino, a teacher in the Adult Practical Nursing program. “She was always willing to assist other students, nursing staff and her instructors and portrayed confidence in the clinical setting.”
