Sample Achieves Nursing Dream with UA Little Rock Degree

Caley Sample, a Jacksonville native who now lives in Lonoke, is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UA Little Rock this December, marking a significant milestone in her nursing education.

Sample's path to nursing started early. In her junior year of high school, she began taking concurrent classes at UA Little Rock to get a head start on her college education. This allowed her to apply to nursing school as a senior, starting UA Little Rock's nursing program just eight days after graduating as Jacksonville High School's salutatorian.

"I was by far the youngest person in my class," Sample said.

As a first-generation college student with no family members working in the medical field, Sample's decision to pursue nursing came during her senior year of high school, influenced by her mother's advice. The COVID-19 pandemic solidified her choice.

"It was during COVID, and I really liked nursing," she said. "I feel like it was meant to be."

Sample earned her associate degree in nursing from UA Little Rock in May 2023, and she currently works in the Neurology/Neurosurgery Unit at UAMS Medical Center, caring for patients with brain injuries, strokes, and other neurological conditions.

Balancing work and studies has been a challenge, but she credits UA Little Rock faculty like Judy Staley and Dr. Charles Molsbee for their support and guidance.

"Mrs. Staley was a great teacher and always there when I needed someone to listen," Sample said. "She even wrote one of my letters of recommendation for my job at UAMS. And Dr. Molsbee was always there when I needed advice."

Sample is excited about graduation and the opportunities that lie ahead. She plans to further specialize in critical care, with hopes of working in an ICU setting in the future.

"I really enjoy critical thinking and trying to figure out the puzzle pieces with patients," she said.

While Sample is now finished with college, she isn't finished with her education. Her plans for the upcoming year include furthering her skills by starting on certifications in neuroscience nursing care and/or stroke nursing care.

For future nursing students, Sample offers encouragement: "Don't give up on those hard days. Once you start working with patients, you'll realize you know a lot more than you think you do."