Student serves community and pursues career in healthcareNovember 25, 2019

This past July as Jovannie Romero was playing in the 6-man All Star Football Game in Wichita Falls, TX, he got a phone call that would change the rest of his life.  The voice on the other end was from the Midland College Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program informing him that he had been accepted to begin classes in August.

“I was so surprised and so happy,” said Romero.  “I had been told that since I wasn’t a Certified Nurse Aide and hadn’t taken Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology, I probably wouldn’t be admitted.  There is limited enrollment, and admission is somewhat competitive.”

Romero graduated from Buena Vista High School in May of 2019.  He was third in his graduating class.  However, long before high school graduation he knew that he wanted to be a nurse.

“I’ve always felt that helping people is what I’m meant to do in life,” explained Romero.  “That’s why I joined the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department two years ago.  Before that, I worked as a lifeguard at the pool in Imperial.

“The staff at the fire department have been a great support and encouraged me to serve my community.  The experience has been a great influence in my decision to pursue a career in the medical field.”

Romero grew up in the small town of Imperial outside Fort Stockton.  His parents Maria P. Bueno and Alfredo Romero taught Jovannie and their two other children the meaning of hard work and how important an education is.  Alfredo works at an area granite plant, and Maria works at the Imperial Public Library and substitute teaches at Buena Vista ISD. 

Jovannie isn’t the only person in his family to pursue a career in the healthcare field.  His older brother Jonathan is currently attending the University of Texas, San Antonio working toward a degree in Physical Therapy, and his aunt is a nurse at Cactus Clinic in Fort Stockton. 

In August 2020, Jovannie Romero will complete Midland College’s LVN program at the Williams Regional Technical Training Center (WRTTC) in Fort Stockton and will be eligible to take the national licensure exam.

“My ultimate goal is to get some nursing experience, continue my education to become a registered nurse and eventually work in a large hospital setting,” said Romero.  “I really enjoy my nursing courses, and I think that my first step once I get my LVN license is to get some experience working as a nurse in Fort Stockton.  Fortunately, I will be able to continue taking classes at Midland College’s campus in Fort Stockton in order to become a registered nurse.  One day, I’d like to get a doctorate in nursing and become a nurse practitioner.”

Romero said that his first experience in a college course was a dual credit Speech course that he took form Midland College while he was still in high school. 

“The Speech class opened the door to college,” stated Romero.  “So, when I graduated from high school, I already had three hours of college credit.”

Romero admitted that his first semester in the LVN program has been challenging, but through hard work and dedication, he has successfully met this challenge.  In addition to the normal LVN courses, Romero is also having to take Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology—courses that most LVN students have already taken before being accepted into the program.  Because of his excellent high school grades and dedication to healthcare, he was admitted before taking those courses; however, it also means that he has had to “double up” on the workload.

“I spend a lot of time studying, but that’s OK,” said Romero.  “It will pay off in the long run.”

When he isn’t studying or fulfilling his responsibilities as a volunteer firefighter, Romero enjoys playing video games and being with family and friends, including his three dogs—two Chihuahuas named Sam and Hercules, and a Shitszu named Pip.

“College was a big transition,” stated Romero.  However, it has turned out better than I expected.  The staff at the WRTTC have helped me to realize that I can achieve my career goals.  There is also a lot of support from the other students, as well—we have really formed a close bond with one another. 

“Overall, I’ve been having a great time since I started the LVN program, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.  In the meantime, I’m enjoying the time right now in the present.”