By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

Robneisha Armstrong, 27, is starting off on a new adventure in life after walking across the stage for her degree in nursing during the Lamar State-College Orange Commencement Friday night.

Armstrong began her higher education with the anticipation of becoming an EMT. She started by attending Lamar Port Arthur, but later transferred to Orange.

“During clinicals, I decided I was a good fit as a nurse,” Armstrong said. “I decided I did not want to stop with EMT.”

While much of the studies came naturally to Armstrong, Pharmacology was her hardest class, she said.

“I was new to the medicine world,” Armstrong said. “I basically started over from the beginning.”

Armstrong explained there are three levels of study for nursing.

“I was at level two when I looked at my baby,” Armstrong said. “She loves Dr. McStuffin. I wanted to be a great example to her and be her Dr. McStuffin.”

Dottie “Doc” McStuffins is a nurturing 6-year-old girl who cares for stuffed animals and toys in her playhouse clinic. When she puts on her stethoscope, something magical happens — toys, dolls and stuffed animals come to life and she can communicate with them, according to https://www.imdb.com/

“I am so excited about graduation,” Armstrong said. “I want to congratulate my classmates, night class, LSCO Nursing class of 2019. We made it!”

Armstrong gave credit to God, Dean of Health, Workforce and Technical Programs Gina Simar and Professor Toni Lagorne.

“I was late going to school and with God’s will it happened,” Armstrong said. “Dean Simar pushed us and had us write in a journal. She also told us if you put your mind to it, it will happen.”

Simar also reminded the students that with belief in self, it will happen.

“Professor Toni Lagorne gave us positive words and feedback,” Armstrong said. “She believed in me, so I never gave up.”

Through it all, was her daughter, Riley, who remained a constant inspiration for the young mother.

“Thank you to all the nursing facilities and patients that allowed us to train under them,” Armstrong said. “Lastly but not least, thank you to my support system, parents and grandmother as well as whole family, for sticking behind me through this time. But I made it and I’m going to continue to strive to be the best role model for Riley, my baby girl.”

“Over this last semester, I have gotten to know Robneisha as a student in the class I teach every Thursday afternoon,” Simar had to say about the student. “She consistently came to class each week with a positive attitude and a smile on her face. She is a joy to be around. I am proud she represents the LSCO vocational nursing program.”

“Robneisha is the student we all dream about, professional, displays high morals, and very caring,” Simar continued. “She is a class act!”