PBSC graduate earns nursing degree while juggling family and full-time job

 

When Johny Jn Louis began working as a firefighter paramedic six years ago, he didn’t anticipate such a high volume of medical-related calls. But with each call, he found himself more drawn to the healthcare field. Now, he has graduated with an Associate in Science degree in Nursing, and his passion for serving others has never been stronger.

Jn Louis, 35, originally from Haiti, earned his Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) certificate from PBSC in 2017. He then completed the EMT-Paramedic program and firefighter academy at the Coral Springs Regional Institute of Public Safety. Although he took some time away from PBSC, his experience in PBSC’s EMT-B program was so great that when making the career change to nursing, he had no doubt he would return.

“I came to PBSC, because I wanted the challenge. I wanted to make sure I knew my stuff,” Jn Louis said. “At PBSC, you must study and work hard. It’s not easy.”

Balancing classes with a full-time job and supporting his wife and two young children, ages four and two, was especially challenging for Jn Louis, given his demanding schedule at Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, where he works two to three 24-hour shifts a week.

Jn Louis had to communicate with professors whenever a class or test conflicted with his work schedule. Other times, he arranged for coworkers to cover his shifts, working weekends to make up for the lost hours. Despite the difficulties, he spent countless hours studying to stay on track.

The hands-on experiences he gained during his time at PBSC made it all worthwhile. He participated in lab simulations and gained practical clinical experience through his rotations at MorseLife Health System, Delray Medical Center, HCA Florida JFK Hospital and West Boca Medical Center.

“One of the best ways you can learn is being on the field, being with the doctors, the nurse practitioners and the other nurses that have been there for a while,” Jn Louis said. “PBSC makes sure you get that experience, and you keep learning.”

Jn Louis is grateful for his professors’ understanding and flexibility, which allowed him to balance his job and family life. He also thanks PBSC for providing the support he needed to succeed and opening doors to new opportunities.

With his A.S. in nursing, Jn Louis is now one step closer to achieving his dream of working with the fire rescue’s Trauma Hawk, a helicopter used to transport critically ill and injured patients to hospitals.

His journey at PBSC isn’t over yet. Jn Louis plans to begin his Bachelor’s in Nursing at PBSC in January and has already registered for four classes. His goal is to one day become a nurse practitioner, specializing in either the intensive care unit or emergency room.

“When you go to apply for a job and you say you’re from Palm Beach State, they know you are going to be a good worker,” Jn Louis said. “So, I would recommend PBSC to anyone. They’re going to have to study hard, but they will not regret it. They will be happy at the end.”