Jasmine and Donny Carroll
When Jasmine Carroll walks across the stage on May 16 to receive her Associate Degree in Nursing from Victoria College, it will mark more than a personal achievement — it will continue a family legacy in healthcare.
At 27, Carroll is proudly following in the footsteps of her father, Donny Carroll, a registered nurse who thrived in VC’s ADN Program.
“I remember watching my dad go through the nursing program when I was in middle school,” said Carroll. “I remember he worked really hard and spent a lot of time studying.”
One moment, she said, left a lasting impression. When her grandmother showed signs of a stroke, her father recognized the symptoms and acted quickly.
“That really stuck with me,” Carroll said. “Seeing how he was able to help in that moment made me realize the kind of difference a nurse can make.”
Carroll graduated from Victoria West High School with a cosmetology certification and spent several years working in the field before deciding to change course. She said she wanted a career that would allow her to care for others while building a financially stable future.
That decision led her to Victoria College’s Associate Degree Nursing Program and the KEY Center, where her father had also once found support as a student.
“The KEY Center has been amazing,” Carroll said. “They provide free printing, meals, workshops and scholarships. Having that kind of support system was a huge help.”
Carroll has already accepted a position working in the emergency room at DeTar Hospital. She hopes to become a nurse practitioner and work in a neonatal intensive care unit, caring for newborns in critical need. With the finish line in sight, she wants to encourage future nursing students to take advantage of the support available to them.
“Set your nerves aside and go for it,” Carroll said. “Victoria College has an amazing program, and they’ll make you a strong nurse. Make sure you ask for help when you need it.”