The life playbook of Susan Edwards ’26 probably sounds familiar. She got an education, then stayed at home and raised her children until they entered preschool and kindergarten. That’s when she put her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education to work teaching high school for 20 years – nine years at Seymour High School and the last 11 years at North Central High School in Farmersburg.
In May 2023, Edwards’ story developed an unexpected plot twist. She retired from teaching, earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification, and fell into a second career she never expected, which led her to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC).
“I always thought when my kids were on their own, I would see where the wind blew me, but nursing was never on my radar,” she said. “I got my CNA to have a summer job since my kids weren’t at home, but I ended up leaving school at the end of May 2023 to work in a long-term care facility because I loved it. It became my happy place. I loved my residents. I loved my work.”
After nursing unexpectedly crept into her life, Edwards knew there was only one place to go for guidance.
“I prayed on it and told God I needed a burning bush. That was on a Tuesday morning. That week, I got accepted into the nursing program (at SMWC),” said Edwards, of Shelburn, Ind. “I didn’t choose this. I really believe I was led here because this is what I’m supposed to be doing in this stage of my life.”
Three years ago, Edwards started the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at SMWC at the age of 55. She walked across the stage at the Hamilton Arena in the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center on May 9 and received her diploma at the age of 58.
“My daughter, Emily, is a nurse, and when I was talking to her about getting my nursing degree, I told her I’d be almost 60 by the time I finished, but I’d be crowding 60 anyway and might as well have an adventure,” Edwards said. “Emily was working as a CNA in nursing school at the time, and I was always her patient when she was practicing. When I texted her and said I was thinking about getting my CNA, she asked me if I still fainted when I saw blood. I told her I was fine with it now.”
Emily, who graduated from nursing school three years ago, helped her mom practice her CNA skills and even quizzed Edwards through her schooling – a practice she continues to keep her mom’s abilities sharp.
“I was so excited when my mom said she wanted to be a nurse. Before she got her CNA, I never pictured my mom doing this, but her career move makes sense now,” Emily said. “I’ve tried to offer the same support my mom gave me when I was going through nursing school. I understand everything she went through, and I knew that if I could do it, my mom was more than capable of doing it, too. My mom’s about to be a nurse and follow her dream. It’s encouraging to see that you can do anything you want, whenever you want.”
After being out of school for so long, though, Edwards said it was difficult to find a school that would accept her credits.
“SMWC was the most welcoming, and they worked with me. They accepted my master’s degree, and I got a nice scholarship,” she said. “When I got on this campus, started nursing classes, and met the people who make it what it is, I saw why this is such an incredible place.”
She got her Woods Ring last year and credits much of her success in the nursing program to the “incredible leaders in the department”. Last semester, Edwards was inducted into SMWC’s Omega Pi chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. After earning three degrees, she attended her first commencement for herself.
“My family’s coming for it, and I’m excited to celebrate with the people who supported me on this journey,” she said. “I have an education degree and a Master of Education, but this has been the most rigorous thing I’ve ever done. You’re not just learning stuff for a test; you’re going to be taking care of someone’s baby or someone’s grandpa, sister or brother. You must have your act together and know what you’re doing.”
Edwards’ post-graduation journey continues in the emergency room at Union Hospital, where she was selected for an apprenticeship.
“My capstone is at the Sullivan ER, and I’ve worked as a tech in the ER and loved it. I worked nights, which is a whole vibe, and the people made that job so fantastic,” said Edwards, who hopes graduation is followed closely by sitting for the National Council Licensure Exam – the national exam for licensed nurses. “I just can’t ever imagine not loving what I’m doing. I was blessed to love teaching until it was time to leave it. (Last) semester, though, I taught the human growth and development class on campus, which was the best of both worlds to me.”
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