Loretta Mack, a 69-year-old African American grandmother hailing from Albany, Georgia, has realized her lifelong aspiration of becoming a registered nurse.
With this feat, she has broken the age barrier and served as an inspiration to many with her perseverance and dedication!
“After everyone was waiting for Loretta to finish school, I did it,” Mack expressed to WSAZ.
With six years of experience as a certified nurse’s assistant, Mack harbored a deep-seated passion for nursing. She finally pursued her dream with the encouragement of a resource nurse who recognized her potential.
“I said to myself, ‘It would be a great example.’ I love people, so I’ve always wanted to nurse or take care of people,” Mack shared.
Mack’s warm-hearted nature and vibrant personality left a profound impact on Heather Jackson, a travel nurse, who extended her contract to serve as Mack’s preceptor nurse.
“If there’s something that needs to be done, she’s going to do it. [Loretta’s] going to make sure that you’re clean, that you’re fed, that you’re taken care of, and she will sit and talk to you too. [Loretta] doesn’t just come in and blow through your room,” Jackson praised Mack.
Furthermore, Mack’s journey to achieving her dream of becoming a registered nurse was arduous, but she is grateful for the support she received.
“From my sister, from my grandson, Ramondo, from my grandson Julian. Everybody helped me. Even some of the doctors sat down and did practice tests with me, homework and all kinds of things,” she acknowledged.
Mack’s story serves as a beacon of determination.
“Age is just a number. I don’t know who thought of that but it’s just a number. I feel that at any age you can do whatever you set your mind to do. If you really want to do it, you can do it,” Mack affirmed.
