Tiirnini Blakely

Tiirnini Blakely recently became a licensed practical nurse, but she is not ready to stop there. She is now a student in the ADN program at Kent State East Liverpool and has her sights set on lofty goals.

“When I was younger, I believe grade school age, I told my mom that I wanted to be a pediatrician,” she related. “I said that for years, until I started high school and really got a better understanding of healthcare and nursing. 

“To make a long story short, I realized that I really love that one-on-one time and the nurse-patient relationship that doctors really don't get because of their busy schedules. Nurses are busy as well, but at the end of the day we are advocates first. I love that. That's what made me want to become a nurse.”

Blakely plans on earning her master’s degree and eventually becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner. “I loved clinicals in the NICU and I hope to be back there one day,” she said. “I'm a new grad LPN and I am eager to learn more and take my nursing career as far as I can go.”